Dragons appoint ex-All Black and regional rugby legend as defence coach

The Dragons have appointed former All Blacks backrower and Ospreys legend Filo Tiatia as their new defence coach.

Tiatia is widely regarded as one of the finest overseas players ever to play in Wales, with the twice-capped New Zealand international making 99 appearances for the Ospreys between 2006 and 2011. Since hanging up his boots the 52-year-old has forged an impressive coaching career with stints with Japanese clubs Toyota Verblitz and the Sunwolves, while he has also worked with the Japan national side.

He has also coached in New Zealand with Moana Pasifika and Auckland. This is a welcome appointment for the Dragons who have been without a defence coach all season and the Welsh club will hope Tiatia can help them add a tougher edge to their game.

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“I’m excited by the challenge ahead and opportunity to return to Wales with Dragons RFC," said Tiatia. “I’ve spent some time discussing the club’s aspirations with Dai (Flanagan.

"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.”

The Dragons have been busy in the transfer market adding Wales international Shane Lewis-Hughes, Tongan backrower Solomone Funaki and former Scarlets lock Steve Cummins to their pack. South African Chris Hollis and Waratahs centre Harry Wilson have also signed, while Wales internationals Rio Dyer, Aaron Wainwright and Taine Basham have also committed their futures to the club.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm Filo as our new defence coach," said Dragons head coach Flanagan. “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.”