Former All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens to lead Samoa rugby resurrection
Most successful sevens coach in history to explore new horizons with Pacific island nation
Former New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has been appointed coach of Samoa from next year, the Samoa Rugby Union said on Friday.
The 60-year-old, who was inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame in 2012 for his contribution to sevens, left the New Zealand programme after the team failed to medal at the Rio Olympics.
Samoa did not qualify for Rio, having been surprisingly beaten by Spain for the final spot.
“We know that there was much competition to secure the services of such a prestigious figure in world rugby sevens,” Samoa Rugby Union chairman Tuilaepa Sailele L. Malielegaoi said.
“In entrusting our beloved sevens team to ... Gordon, we know we have a coach who understands how important rugby is to our people, and he has a deep appreciation of how to get the best out of the talent we know we have.”
