The LA Giltinis have finalised their coaching staff for their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign with the addition of Orene Ai’i as a skills specialist. He follows earlier appointments of Darren Coleman, Stephen Hoiles, Alex Corbisiero, Marc Carter, and Michael Stephen.
Ai’i moved to California six years ago and played for the San Francisco Rush during the 2016 PRO season. Originally from Samoa, he represented New Zealand on the World Sevens Series and was considered one of the world’s best exponents of the shortened code.
As a professional Ai’i also spent several years in Japan with Toyota Verblitz and two seasons with Toulon in France before moving stateside. More recently the 41-year-old has worked with youth development programs around Los Angeles.