Gordon Tietjens has one goal in mind when his New Zealand team step onto the turf at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens next month – getting his hands back on the HSBC Sevens World Series title.
The Kiwi side got last season off to the best possible start with victory in Dubai in 2009 but missed out on the overall title, losing out to first-time winners Samoa.
“We were disappointed to finish runners-up last year to a very good Samoan team so now we’ve got to push on with our goals and objectives this year to win the (HSBC Sevens) World Series,” said Tietjens.
“To do well in the World Series you have to start well. We’ve seen the emergence of a lot of countries over the years in Sevens rugby and it’s going to be no different this season. There are up to six or seven teams that could win any of the tournaments so we’re going to have to start well and Dubai’s certainly first and foremost in our minds,” added the legendary coach.
New Zealand have been drawn in Pool B alongside Argentina, USA and Zimbabwe, with their first scheduled match against the Americans on December 3.
“It’s never an easy draw. I mean Argentina could bring a very, very good side – you just would never have any idea. The USA are always really competitive so if they bring their top side, they’re in with a chance. Then again you just don’t know, so that first tournament you’re sort of going into the unknown a little bit, and you’re always cautious. We’ll have to play every game as a final,” said Tietjens.
“We are excited about the World Series and the challenge to try to win back the overall series title. I will have a new squad with maybe less than half of the squad that was at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi available. The likes of Zac Guildford, Liam Messam, Sherwin Stowers and Fritz Lee will all be with Super 15 squads. But I hope to retain players like DJ Forbes, Kurt Baker, Tim Mickelson, Lote Raikabula for the World Series.
“Although I will have a new team in Dubai, I am taking an emerging players squad to a tournament in Brisbane in a couple of weeks and some players from that may force themselves into the sevens squad for Dubai. It will be good preparation."
As for Dubai, the UAE tournament remains one of Tietjens’ favourites. “It’s always great to start the series in Dubai, which is my favourite destination on the sevens circuit. It’s like a mini Hong Kong.
“It’s always my favourite tournament … I was coming to Dubai when I first coached the Kiwi Nomads, before they first brought the New Zealand Sevens team there and we won that with players like Christian Cullen and Caleb Ralph, who went on to become All Blacks. So it’s always been a special tournament for me, because it was probably one of the first tournaments that I coached a national team in.
“I have a lot of friends in Dubai, obviously there are a lot of expats there as well and Emirates look after us very, very well. They’re a great sponsor.”
The event sponsor, Emirates, is also looking forward to the tournament.
“We will be giving Gordon and his team a warm welcome as they come back to Dubai,” said Gary Chapman, President of Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group. “They were worthy champions at last year’s tournament here in Dubai and they’re coming off a great run of form, having won a record fourth gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi recently,” he added.
“They are always a pleasure to watch and I have no doubt the New Zealand team will keep the fans at 7he Sevens entertained throughout the action packed weekend.”
Tickets to be in on the action at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens are still available online through www.dubairugby7s.com and by calling Ticketline on 800 4669 (international clients can call +971 4 4443459).