The last thing New Zealand rugby needs is for sevens super coach Gordon Tietjens to be helping an opponent when the 2016 Olympics roll around.
NZ Sevens supercoach, Gordon Tietjens
Tietjens sevens brain is just too valuable to be left lying around. Every sevens playing nation would snap him up in a minute and the likes of China, England and the USA would have the money to provide him with a pleasant semi-retirement overseeing their sevens programmes.
Sevens is the Olympic version of the sport. That means it is on the radar for sports-glory minded nations, especially those who think they might be in with a chance – those currently playing in the IRB World Series.
The New Zealand Rugby Football Union aren’t the smartest, fastest moving group in world rugby but they have made the right decision here.
2013 is Sevens World Cup year (Moscow) and the Commonwealth Games is the year after (Glasgow). Then Rio is just 2 years after that.
The timetable is set so now it’s about the programme.
Can New Zealand hold it’s edge?
Here’s where the New Zealand rugby administrators might have it wrong. They are talking about offering full time contracts to just four players from 2014.
Gordon Tietjens has had the luxury of having his core 6 players together for the last 4 years.
- Tomasi Cama
- Lote Raikubula
- Solomon King
- Toby Arnold
- Tim Mikkleson
- DJ Forbes
Due to their age, few of these players are likely to still be in the New Zealand team in 2016 but Frank Halai will be 28. So will new boy Mark Jackman who is making a strong start to what could be a golden sevens career.
To be successful in 2016, Tietjens will need to have developed a similar new playing core that will have been together for 4 years when the they compete for Olympic gold. That core might include the youngsters he introduced to the New Zealand squad during this world series.
- Charles Piutau
- Joe Webber
- Jono Malo
- Waisake Naholo
- Ardie Savea
- Lolagi Visinia
- Jack Wilson
Last year Ardie Savea was captain of his high school team, this year he is scoring tries in the World Sevens Series
Vegetarians need to enter via the Queens Road and avoid going too far south to the butcher street – unless you want to re-affirm your choice.
All Black Hosea Gear wants to play for New Zealand at the Wellington Sevens.
Rangiuru are a modest club based in Te Puke. Their resources are evident in their classic heavy cotton jerseys and nylon shorts.
Kiwis dominate the 2012 Carlton Super Sevens in Sri Lanka
Filed under Commentary by Maru on May 17, 2012 at 5:27 pm {no comments}The Carlton Super Sevens began in Sri Lanka in 2009 as a way to increase the profile of sevens rugby in the country and it has grown in stature every year
This year each team is made up of a combination of local players, local under 21 players and 3-4 international players.
The event is a 2-leg competition with two 2-day tournaments with a week in between (similar to how the IRB World Series events are organised):
The Carlton Super Sevens was held in October last year and they have either moved the timing or are planning on a second event this year.
The timing of the second series will be interesting with the IRB World Sevens Series starting in mid October on the Gold Coast.
So if the biggest stars are to return, you would think they will work around this.
The event is testament to the increasing profile of sevens rugby and the increasing sponsorship resource that is promoting it.
There is a big sevens event being organised in South Africa in mid-December where Sonny-Bill Williams will lineup alongside Quade Cooper and Shane Williams.
[I wanted to see Sonny-Bill play sevens when he first arrived back in New Zealand]
There is a lot of talk about other professional tournaments in the wings.
The next tier of sevens play – outside of the IRB’s World Series – is going to be an interesting landscape, especially in the first 2-3 years as things settle.
Carlton Super Sevens
This is a 10 team event based on local franchises.
Last years winners were the Central Kings who had a strong North Harbour influence with Zar Lawrence and Ben Botica playing and Geoff Alley coaching.
This year the list of international players is dominated by New Zealanders.
12 of the World Series winning squad will be playing, including:
There are another 6 NZ-based players involved:
- Ex-internationals Zar Lawrence, Shane Christie, Ben Souness and Ed Coker
- Provincial play makers Nalu Tuigamala and Warwick Lahmert
There are also several stars from other teams in the IRB World Sevens Series
The coaching panel is mostly made up of New Zealanders also but England’s assistant, Russell Earnshaw is there – as is Australia’s Chris Roche.