Former All Black added to Dragons’ backroom staff

Filo-Tiatia-former-All-Black-Alamy

The Dragons have bolstered their backroom staff with the appointment of former All Blacks, Hurricanes and Ospreys loose forward Filo Tiatia as their new defence coach.

Tiatia will join the Dragons ahead of the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship campaign and is no stranger to Welsh rugby as he had a successful five-year stint at the Ospreys between 2006 and 2011.

Experienced coach

Since his retirement, the 52-year-old had spells as head coach at Japanese clubs Toyota Verblitz and the Sunwolves and also worked as forwards coach with Japan’s national side.

Tiatia has Super Rugby experience as a forwards coach with Moana Pasifika and he was also in charge of Auckland’s forwards in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

He will take up his new position at the Dragons following his time as director of rugby at Rangitoto College in Auckland.

Dragons had coach Dai Flanagan is delighted that Tiatia is on his way to the Welsh region.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm Filo as our new defence coach,” he told the Dragons’ official website.

“He returns to Wales with a wealth of coaching experience and is an innovator and leader in every sense of the word who will make a huge impression here.

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“There is no doubt he will grab this role with both hands and stamp his mark on it.

“I have always stated it shouldn’t be easy when teams come to Rodney Parade or face the Dragons and I know that Filo will work with our squad to rebuild that area of our game and make it his very own.

“I have no doubt that Filo will be a great ally and I know how keen he is to come back to Wales and become a Dragon.”

Tiatia is looking forward to his new challenge and can’t wait to join the Dragons ranks.

Excited to return to Wales

“I’m excited by the challenge ahead and opportunity to return to Wales with Dragons RFC,” he said.

“I’ve spent some time discussing the club’s aspirations with Dai. It’s a good time for an ambitious club to kick on and I’m looking forward to being a part of a new coaching set-up.

“There is undoubtedly a quality squad, full of young Gwent talent, being assembled at Dragons and I can’t wait to get started with the players this summer and help us move forward.”