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This is South Wales --
THE Ospreys await the arrival of Fijian Aisea Natoga, with backs coach Gruff Rees revealing the region plan to develop their attacking game in the new season.
The utility back, who can play wing, centre or full-back, is set to link up with his new team-mates over the next week.
His acquisition, along with the recruitment of Canadian wing Jeff Hassler and the imminent return to fitness of a number of backs, including Eli Walker, means the Ospreys will have extra tactical options in the coming campaign.
"We are looking for our game to evolve," said Rees.
"We are a power-based side and we are proud of that. We also intend to keep our focus on the half-back area.
"But we also want people like Ashley Beck, Eli Walker, Hassler, Natoga and Hanno Dirksen to show what they can do in attack. We have more firepower this season to try to develop our attacking play.
"Last year we picked up only two losing bonus points, which isn't enough. You can sometimes accept losing, but you have to be smart and try to bank something from each game, especially in Europe. Our attacking bonus-points haul was poor as well, so we have to develop our game to put more width on it when it's applicable and work towards more of an open style for use in certain games."
The Ospreys were not helped by injuries last term, with Dirksen ruled out from November and Walker, Beck and Andrew Bishop all troubled by bumps at various points.
It meant they were forced play a number of players out of position, with their backline often containing a surfeit of scrum-halves and youngsters pitched in at the deep end.
Undoubtedly, the Ospreys will miss Kahn Fotuali'i. But his replacement Tito Tebaldi has made a bright start to his time at the region, impressing in training and proving a hit with his new squad-mates.
"Tito has fitted in well," reported Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy.
"He's from a different environment and the boys seem to really like him. He's a character and has added to our environment, supplying fresh energy."
Gruff Rees added: "People have seen how good a footballer Tebaldi is and can appreciate that his defensive game is second to none. In that respect, he has similar traits to Kahn. Tom knows our game inside out and we are looking to him to kick on."
MARK ORDERS Reported by This is 5 hours ago.
Clik here to view.
This is South Wales --THE Ospreys await the arrival of Fijian Aisea Natoga, with backs coach Gruff Rees revealing the region plan to develop their attacking game in the new season.
The utility back, who can play wing, centre or full-back, is set to link up with his new team-mates over the next week.
His acquisition, along with the recruitment of Canadian wing Jeff Hassler and the imminent return to fitness of a number of backs, including Eli Walker, means the Ospreys will have extra tactical options in the coming campaign.
"We are looking for our game to evolve," said Rees.
"We are a power-based side and we are proud of that. We also intend to keep our focus on the half-back area.
"But we also want people like Ashley Beck, Eli Walker, Hassler, Natoga and Hanno Dirksen to show what they can do in attack. We have more firepower this season to try to develop our attacking play.
"Last year we picked up only two losing bonus points, which isn't enough. You can sometimes accept losing, but you have to be smart and try to bank something from each game, especially in Europe. Our attacking bonus-points haul was poor as well, so we have to develop our game to put more width on it when it's applicable and work towards more of an open style for use in certain games."
The Ospreys were not helped by injuries last term, with Dirksen ruled out from November and Walker, Beck and Andrew Bishop all troubled by bumps at various points.
It meant they were forced play a number of players out of position, with their backline often containing a surfeit of scrum-halves and youngsters pitched in at the deep end.
Undoubtedly, the Ospreys will miss Kahn Fotuali'i. But his replacement Tito Tebaldi has made a bright start to his time at the region, impressing in training and proving a hit with his new squad-mates.
"Tito has fitted in well," reported Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy.
"He's from a different environment and the boys seem to really like him. He's a character and has added to our environment, supplying fresh energy."
Gruff Rees added: "People have seen how good a footballer Tebaldi is and can appreciate that his defensive game is second to none. In that respect, he has similar traits to Kahn. Tom knows our game inside out and we are looking to him to kick on."
MARK ORDERS Reported by This is 5 hours ago.
