Sir Gordon Tietjens

Sir Gordon Tietjen’s is widely regarded as the greatest rugby sevens coach of all time. A World Rugby Hall of Famer, Sir Gordon is the most highly decorated coach in the history of rugby sevens. During his twenty-two year tenure as head coach of New Zealand rugby sevens and four years as Samoa rugby sevens head coach, Sir Gordon’s teams won: twelve World Series Gold’s, four Commonwealth Games Gold’s and two World Cup Gold’s. Sir Gordon was duly knighted by the Queen of England in 2013 for his services to rugby sevens. During his time in charge of the New Zealand rugby sevens team forty-four players went on to become fully fledged All Blacks in the fifteen-a-side game and he was the only remaining active international coach from the amateur era.

Topics discussed: Sir Gordon’s background and influences; challenges he faced both on and off the field; discussing the development and importance of culture and environment within his teams; Gordon’s philosophy, beliefs and values to playing & coaching rugby sevens; squad selection criteria and qualities his players would have; the importance and qualities of captain selection; favourite victory and proud moments; being authentic as a coach; the importance of rugby sevens in player development pathways; views on the laws of the game; and future goals.