Sunwolves appoint former All Black as forwards coach

Japan’s new Super Rugby franchise the Sunwolves have appointed former All Blacks back-row forward Filo Tiatia as their forwards coach.

The former Hurricane for the All Blacks in 2000 before he left New Zealand to play in Japan and then Wales for the Ospreys.

Tiatia retired from playing at 38 but stayed on with the Ospreys and coached them in the Anglo Welsh LV Cup. He then returned to Japan and was forwards coach and then head coach of Toyota Verblitz.

More recently Tiatia was appointed as the Director of Rugby for Scots College in Wellington who posted a letter on Facebook from the former All Black.

“It is with a heavy heart that I would like to inform you all that I will be leaving as the Director Of Rugby here at Scots College,” said Tiatia in the letter.

“I have recently accepted a role in the new Japanese Super 18 franchise as the Forwards coach in this year’s inaugural Super 18 competition.”

“The timing is obviously not fantastic and I want to apologise for that but I am a great believer that “Nothing happens by accident and it happens for a purpose”.

Tiatia will work for the Sunwolves under head coach Mark Hammett who was formerly coach of the Hurricanes.