Tietjens to take sevens team to 2016 Olympics

New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for four years, meaning he will take the team through to the Rio de Janerio Olympics in 2016. Sevens is being played at the Olympics for the first time in 2016 and Tietjens, who has been sevens coach since 1994, was the natural choice to take the team through. "One of the key components of our Olympic campaign is to have the very best coaches on board,'' NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said. "We now have that in Gordon, who is without a doubt the world's best sevens coach "Signing Gordon for this extended period through to 2016 not only reflects the uniqueness of the Olympic Games but also his commitment to sevens rugby in New Zealand. "Sevens has been a stepping stone for many great All Blacks and forms an important part of our rugby landscape and we are delighted to have Gordon on board to continue that tradition,'' he said. The 57-year-old has won nine IRB world series titles, four Commonwealth Games gold medals and in 2010 was named NZRU Coach of the Year. It's not yet clear what access he will have to All Blacks for the Olympics but Tietjens said it was an easy decision to make to sign on for another four years. "I still have the same passion and enjoyment for the game of sevens that I had when I began coaching and I am incredibly proud of the role sevens has played in the development of rugby players in New Zealand,'' he said. "Taking home four Commonwealth Games gold medals has given me some of the most memorable moments of my coaching career. Taking part in the Olympic Games will be the pinnacle of my career and something that all coaches and athletes aspire to.''