USA, China target Tietjens for Olympics
Long-time New Zealand sevens mentor Gordon Tietjens, who comes off contract at the end of next year's Commonwealth Games, has been fielding offers from rival nations following rugby's readmission to the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Tietjens has had calls from the United States and China, the two Olympic powerhouses who will stop at nothing to achieve success.
But the 52-year-old Tauranga-based coach is adamant his loyalty lies with New Zealand, despite his continuing frustration at the depleted player resources available to him.
"Obviously, my loyalty is here in New Zealand, but I'd be stupid to shut the door on anything at this stage," Tietjens said today.
"I'm still young as a coach and things are happening in the world of sevens pretty quickly right now after the (weekend's IOC) decision, so it's an exciting time to remain.
"I'd love to be involved in the Olympics in some capacity, but what the capacity is I'm not sure."
Former sevens maestro Eric Rush, too, has had offers to coach nations with little or no rugby background hoping to come up to speed before 2016. He has turned them down.
"I could never do a Russell Coutts and go for the money," he said. "Having said that I have never had a million bucks out in front of me, so you never know."
Tietjens has fielded a concrete offer from the United States, with China phoning 10 days ago as they begin their strategic planning towards the 2016 summer games.
Full article: http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sp...mpics/3905239/
