Waikato Rugby Head Coach Ross Filipo joins the coaching team with a significant playing resume having run out for the All Blacks, Crusaders, Chiefs, and the Wellington Lions.
He gained experience overseas playing for Bayonne, Wasps and Racing 92. Additionally, Filipo coached and played in Japan before he returned to New Zealand in 2019 to take up Rugby Development and assistant coaching roles with the Waikato Rugby Union.
Filipo moved into the Head Coach role at Waikato in 2021 to take out the Bunnings NPC championship during the union's Centurian season. Filipo joined the Gallagher Chiefs for the 2023 season with a focus on the lineout and general forward play.