Filo Tiatia pledges to improve Japan through Sunwolves
Wednesday 5 October 2016 14:22, UK
Filo Tiatia has promised to shake up the Sunwolves following a disappointing debut season in Super Rugby as Japan eyes a boost ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
But the former All Black, who was appointed last month on a two-year deal, asked fans for their patience as the inexperienced team face a daunting start to the new season with a showdown against the defending champions Hurricanes in February.
"We are trying to improve a lot of areas," said Tiatia in his first press conference as head coach, joined by Japan's new head coach Jamie Joseph.
"This is going to be our second year so we have got a lot of learning to do. But we are going to continue to keep improving as well."
The Sunwolves joined an expanded 18-team Super Rugby competition this year following Japan's astonishing performance at last year's World Cup where the Brave Blossoms won three pool games, including a 34-32 shock upset over two-time champions South Africa.
But delays bringing in players and coaching staff sabotaged the team's preparations and as expected, they have struggled in the southern hemisphere's elite club competition, slumping to a record of one win, one draw and 13 defeats.
They hit rock bottom in a 92-17 humiliation by the Cheetahs in April, prompting criticism from former Japan national coach Eddie Jones, now in charge of England, who slammed the Sunwolves' lack of depth as "embarrassing".
Jamie Joseph, another former All Black who began his Japanese assignment this year, emphasised "alignment" between the Brave Blossoms and the Sunwolves as a means to bolster the performance of Japanese players ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
"I will help out anyway I can to make the Sunwolves more competitive in the global arena and to please fans," said Joseph.
Tiatia made clear that the speed and physical strength of players would be in focus as the team looks to improve on what they achieved last season.
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"We are trying to find players that can represent the country first and foremost," he said.
Japanese rugby chiefs have made no secret of their desire for the country's top players to turn out for the Sunwolves.
But despite bumper crowds supporting the team, several marquee Japan players snubbed the Sunwolves to sign for other clubs on more lucrative contracts, including Japan captain Michael Leitch and full-back Ayumu Goromaru.
