Moana Pasifika appoint Filo Tiatia as assistant coach

Moana Pasifika have strengthened their backroom staff with the appointment of former New Zealand international Filo Tiatia as an assistant coach ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific 2022 season.

Tiatia had a stellar playing career between 1992 and 2011 where he featured for Wellington, Tarvisium, Toyota Verblitz and Ospreys apart from playing two Tests for New Zealand in 2000.

The 50-year-old started his coaching career with Ospreys as an assistant in 2007 and also had worked Toyota Verblitz, Sunwolves and Auckland. He also held the assistant coach of Japan in 2017.

“We have a lot of amazing talent out there, and this team is an exciting development in professional rugby,” he said.

“I’m really motivated to be part of finding and growing future stars of the international game, and I have a strong desire to help our Pasifika players thrive and deliver exciting, and fun rugby to play and watch.

“Having a strong cultural tie to roots was an important part of my role as a player, and it has been a key part of my coaching style.

”Covid has really changed our landscape and preparation time, but I see that as a great opportunity to be innovative and think differently about how we prepare to hit the ground running.”