Dubai: Samoa coach Sir Gordon Tietjens said he had no hard feelings towards his old side New Zealand and denied he would be going out of his way to try and upset the All Blacks this season.
The 60-year-old Kiwi supposedly retired following 22 years of service after the favourites failed to win gold at this summer’s Olympics in Rio,
But then he surprised all by announcing that he would be coming out of retirement to take charge of Samoa from January.
Tietjens was in the stands in Dubai watching Samoa over the weekend but hasn’t officially started work yet.
Asked if he bore a grudge about the way in which he left New Zealand, he replied: “No, it’s a professional sport now, you’ve only got to look at Mike Friday, he’s managed England and then the USA, and from a 15s perspective you’ve seen Graham Henry and Steve Hansen both coach Wales and then New Zealand.
“Of course, I’ve got lots of knowledge and intellectual property built over a long period of time. So, if I can help a small island like Samoa and help them build a succession plan for coaches coming through and provide the insight and analysis that I have around sevens, then that’s what I’m here for.”
Tietjens also held back from saying he wanted to get one over on his old side. “No, that’s rugby,” he said of his departure. “I’ll be doing my best for Samoa to win whoever they play. Samoa actually played New Zealand on Friday and it was strange sitting in the stands watching them, and it was close too at 26-21.
“I think in sevens any team on their day can beat any team and that’s the beauty of this game, certainly Samoa will be pushing to get up there don’t worry. Put it this way, when I’m coaching Samoa I’ll want them to win everything.”
Of his Dubai sojourn, he said: “I’m just here to get an understanding of the team and get to know the players before I start work in January.
“It’s good from that point of view, there’s no pressure from the coaching side, and I get to have a good look and feel for the squad and take what I pick out of Dubai and the next tournament in Cape Town, before starting work in Wellington.
“It’s a great challenge because 22 years is a long time with New Zealand and having those expectations lifted off your shoulders after such a big time is great. Now, it’s about trying to get this team up to being the best they can be. They didn’t qualify for the Olympics and there’s a reason. I’ve coached a lot of young Samoans over the years as they are a big part of New Zealand rugby and I just saw it as a great opportunity.”
