Former All Blacks join Sunwolves

Former All Blacks Nathan Mauger and Filo Tiatia have joined the coaching staff of Japan's new Super Rugby team, the Sunwolves.

Mauger will coach the backs and Tiatia the forwards under another former All Black, head coach Mark Hammett.

Tiatia has playing and coaching experience in Japan. He played for Toyota Verblitz from 2002 to 2006 and later returned to Verblitz as forwards coach, then briefly as head coach.

Mauger played only two games and no Tests for the All Blacks but was teammate of Hammett at the Crusaders.

He was most-recently backs coach of the Crusaders side that won the New Zealand under-19 title.

Mauger said: "I'm looking forward to being part of (the Sunwolves) as we prepare for our first Super game against the South African Lions."