Rugby: Plumtree not joining Highlanders

John Plumtree.
John Plumtree.
John Plumtree has ruled himself out of the Highlanders top job.

The Hurricanes announced today John Plumtree has agreed to stay with the franchise for the 2017 and 2018 seasons and will continue his long-standing and close relationship with head coach Chris Boyd.

"There has been some speculation about my coaching future over the past week, but my family consider Wellington to be our home and the Hurricanes are a team that is close to my heart," Plumtree said.

"We have a great group of players and coaches at the Hurricanes and I'm glad to have the opportunity to continue working with them over the coming seasons."

Loyalty has been a hallmark of Plumtree's coaching career with a five year stint with Swansea in Wales, followed by four seasons with the Wellington Lions, then seven with the Sharks in South Africa, a team he also represented 80 times as a player.

He returned to New Zealand last season to be closer to family after a stint as Ireland's forwards coach and said his commitment to the Hurricanes had not changed since.

Plumtree said it was flattering to be approached by the Highlanders but that his loyalties were firmly with the Hurricanes.

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