Kiwi coaches linked to Welsh club Ospreys
"The 46-year-old understands the culture at the Ospreys and he's the kind of man who would set standards both on and off the field." Wales Online on Filo Tiatia
Former All Blacks flanker Filo Tiatia and Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd have been tipped as contenders for the vacant coaching job at Welsh Pro14 club Ospreys.
The Swansea-based club has sacked coach Steve Tandy after a poor start to the Pro14 season.
The Wales Online website has named Tiatia and Boyd on a list of potential replacements.
Boyd – who is committed to coaching the Hurricanes in the 2018 Super Rugby competition – is on a shortlist with Kiwi compatriots Wayne Pivac and Dave Rennie for the Wales national coach’s job when Warren Gatland steps down after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Wales Online reported that Boyd, who has also been linked to the Cardiff Blues coaching job, was ‘‘clearly highly rated’’ by the Welsh Rugby Union, ‘‘who are understood to be keen for the Blues to consider him for the role at the Arms Park’’.
‘‘Now the Ospreys are also looking for a head man, might the union suggest they run the rule over the 59-year-old from Wellington?’’
Tiatia – who helped coach Japan’s Sunwolves in the last Super Rugby campaign – would be a ‘‘popular choice with the fans’’ at the Ospreys club.
‘‘The teak-hard Kiwi back rower is viewed as an Ospreys legend by supporters for what he brought to the region during his five-year stay, in terms of his professionalism, commitment, workrate and, above all, his attitude.
‘‘He has cut his teeth as a coach out in Japan with Toyota Verblitz and the Sunwolves Super Rugby side, starting as assistant to Mark Hammett with the Sunwolves and then moving up to head coach.
‘‘The 46-year-old understands the culture at the Ospreys and he’s the kind of man who would set standards both on and off the field.’’
Tiatia, a Wellington and Hurricanes stalwart, earned two All Blacks caps in 2000.
He played 99 games for the Ospreys before hanging up his boots at 38. He was the club’s assistant coach from 2007 to 2011 before leaving for Japan.
Tandy, a former Ospreys flanker, coached Ospreys for six seasons, guiding them to the Pro12 title in his first term in 2011-12.
Ospreys CEO Andrew Millward said the decision to part with Tandy had not been taken lightly, and the club was seeking ‘‘a worldclass’’ replacement.
‘‘Steve has been an integral part of everything we have achieved over the last six years – from winning the PRO12 in his first season in charge to helping develop a strong core of players from our academy – and before that as a player.
‘‘Steve will always remain a respected figure within the Ospreys family and will always be welcomed back to Liberty Stadium as a true friend of the region. We wish him every success for the future.’’