Boyd: Hurricanes need more than great backs

Recently appointed Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd says that they will need a lot more than a great backline if they are to do well in Super Rugby.

All Black back Ma’a Nonu has re-signed with his old team the Hurricanes and will join a backline that already features TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane and Julian Savea.

Boyd says that if his forward pack do not deliver good ball possession then all of the talent in the backline will count for nothing.

“I don’t think any of us are stupid enough to think that good backlines are going to get you a constantly good performance,” Boyd told NZ Newswire.

“In round terms, forward packs will win you championships and backlines will win you games.”

Boyd coached Nonu at provincial level almost 10 years ago at the Lions and says that he is delighted to have signed the All Black after the departures of Alapati Leiua and Tim Bateman.

Instead of comment on Nonu’s history off the playing field the Hurricanes coach focused more on Nonu’s playing ability and suggested that the player had shouldered too much responsibility and because of this his game had suffered.

“At those other teams, I think he’s carried the can a little too much,” Boyd said.

“Hopefully with the roster he’s got around him, we can just ask him to be the best that he can in his particular role.”