The Fiji Rugby Union was trying to get former New Zealand 7s coach Sir Gordon Tietjens to be the next coach of the Vodafone Fiji 7s team.
However Tietjens took up the Samoa 7s coaching job today as he was first interviewed by the Samoan Rugby Union.
Reliable sources have confirmed to Fijivillage that Tietjens had applied for the Fiji coaching job as well.
We have received information that when Tietjens was contacted by the FRU, he indicted to the FRU that he was in Samoa and had agreed to be their coach.
Tietjens also apologized because he had confirmed to be interviewed.
The Fiji Rugby Union had announced earlier this week that it has commenced the process of selecting our new National Men’s 7s Head Coach and National Women’s 7s Head Coach.
The FRU Board confirms that 13 applications were received for the men’s coach’s position while 17 applications were received for the women’s team’s position.
FRU says applications were received from both local and overseas applicants.
Tietjens was confirmed as the new Head coach for the Samoa 7s team.
He will formally take charge on January 1st next year.
Samoan Prime Minister and Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was involved in the discussions and made the announcement.
Tietjens will be helped by assistant coach Stephen Betham with Ramsay Tomokino named as team manager.
He met with the Samoa Rugby Union board last night after inspecting facilities and tidying up the deal.
Stuff.co.nz reports that the Samoan Prime Minister says in entrusting their beloved sevens team to Sir Gordon they now have a coach who understands how important rugby is to the people of Samoa.
60‑year‑old Tietjens says he is delighted to join Samoa and try to make them a consistent force in the game.
He says Samoa Sevens has always represented their country with pride, passion and a great natural talent in rugby and he is massively motivated to help them achieve their goal to be a consistent top performer on the world stage.
The Dubai 7s will kick off on December 2nd.
The Olympic Gold medal winning Fiji side is the defending champion.
