Filo Tiatia

Who is Filo Tiatia?

Filogia Ian "Filo" Tiatia is a New Zealand international rugby union footballer, who used to play as a back-row forward and occasionally lock Ospreys.

Tiatia made his debut for Wellington in 1992, playing through the advent of professionalism and then represented the Hurricanes in the Super 12between 1996 and 2002.

Tiatia won 2 caps for the New Zealand in 2000. His first was as a replacement in a 102–0 win against Tonga where he scored a try. The next was a start at flanker against Italy where he again scored another try. match list

He then moved to Japan to play four season for Toyota Verblitz before signing for the Welsh region the Ospreys.

He became a cult figure at the Ospreys impressing fans with his all action style and appetite for work around the field. He played 99 times for the Ospreys scoring 10 tries. He was so popular at the Ospreys fans set up the Filo Tiatia Appreciation Society on Facebook. Tiatia also had a Grogg made of him in 2008, and fought to keep Swansea Tennis Centre open in 2010.

Tiatia retired at the age of 38 but stayed at the Ospreys as a coach. And he was named head coach for the LV= Cup in 2011

www.bbc.co.uk Filo Tiatia will leave his Ospreys coaching role at the end of the season to become forwards coach at Japanese side Toyota Verblitz. via the BBC website