By David Williams
Filo Tiatia has been backed as the man to finally plug the leaky Dragons’ defence next season.
The former Ospreys ‘Galactico’ is returning to Wales as the defence coach at Dragons RFC.
His job will be to firm up a notoriously soft outfit who have conceded over 500 points already this season.
The 52-year-old former All Black became a cult figure during his five-year spell with the Ospreys.
He will return to Wales in a new capacity, joining forces with Dai Flanagan’s coaching team at Rodney Parade.
“Filo will return to Wales with a wealth of coaching experience and is an innovator and leader in every sense of the word. He will make a huge impression here,” said Flanagan.
“There is no doubt he will grab this role with both hands and stamp his mark on it. I’ve 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.
“Filo will be a great ally and I know how keen he is to come back to Wales and become a Dragon.”
Filo Tiatia reflects on becoming the Dragons' defence coach ⤵️#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/j7S1Ffb0RY
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) May 7, 2024
The Wellington-born former back row forward has picked up a wealth of coaching experience since hanging up his boots and will fill a gaping hole in the Dragons coaching team.
He was head coach at Toyota Verblitz and Sunwolves in Japan and spent time as forwards coach with the Japan national side.
He also spent time working as a forwards coach with Auckland and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby.
More recently the two-time capped Tiatia was director of rugby at Rangitoto College in Auckland.
After all the recent signings, arguably a more important deal has been completed.
The Dragons will bring in Ospreys legend and former All Black Filo Tiatia as defence coach this summer.
Uncompromising.https://t.co/HDTNjQrCSj
— Argus on the Dragons (@argusondragons) May 7, 2024