Filo Tiatia joined the Ospreys in the summer of 2006

Ospreys number eight Filo Tiatia has taken up a player-coach role at the region with immediate effect.

The former New Zealand international, 37, has signed a new three-year deal, having been a major hit since joining the Welsh region in May 2006.

Tiatia will continue to work with the Ospreys age groups and will address the tackle/contact area with the seniors.

"It's an exciting challenge for me over the next few seasons, combining playing with coaching," said Tiatia.

606: DEBATE Will this be a successful move for Tiatia?

"A move into coaching has been on my agenda for a little while; when I signed my last contract 10 months ago it was something I said that I wanted to experience.

"I'm grateful that, having seen what I can do, the guys here have the confidence in my coaching ability to offer me this opportunity.

"I've no intention of giving up playing just yet, I feel that I've still got a lot to offer on that front, so in the short term it will be a case of balancing the two components."

Ospreys elite performance director Andrew Hore added: "We are delighted to be able to elevate Filo to this new position.

"As an organisation, we have always said that we are prepared to promote from within and reward those who display the values and characteristics that we consider essential."

Tiatia's former teams include the Wellington Hurricanes and four years spent playing for Japanese side Toyota Verblitz, before his move to the Liberty Stadium.

"I'm really enjoying it, I lived in Japan for four years and just experiencing different cultures and different living experiences," Tiatia told BBC Wales' Scrum V rugby programme last month when he revealed his coaching ambitions.

"And I think coming to Wales, it's sort of broadened my horizon a little bit more.

"I've lived in a great country, surrounded by great people, but also trying to create a legacy here as well within this organisation, the Ospreys."

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