Tietjens turns down the Kings' offer
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:45
Legendary New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has turned down an offer to take up a coaching role in Port Elizabeth, where he would have been linked to the Southern Kings and Mighty Elephants.
Tietjens and New Zealand's most capped scrumhalf, Justin Marshall, have been linked to a move to Port Elizabeth ahead of this year's Currie Cup - as the drive continue to build a team that can be competitive in both domestic competitions and also lay a solid foundation for future participation in Super Rugby.
Tietjens confirmed he had spoken with Eastern Province officials but would not be available because South Africa's domestic competition coincides with New Zealand's preparations for the defence of their Commonwealth Games Sevens title in India.
"I've had brief discussions, there's nothing permanent," Tietjens told NZPA from Adelaide, where New Zealand contest the fifth round of the IRB world circuit from Friday.
"It won't happen because it clashes with Commonwealth Games preparations."
Tietjens, who is off contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union after October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, said the Eastern Province Rugby Union envisaged an advisory role - not the position of head coach.
The EPRU - who play as the Mighty Elephants in the First Division, the second tier of provincial competition in South Africa - hope to gain promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division and eventually join an expanded Super Rugby competition as the Southern Kings.
They lost out to the Melbourne Rebels when SANZAR, the sport's southern hemisphere controlling body, added another franchise for next year's Super 15.
With Sevens an Olympic sport from 2016 in Rio, Tietjens has received feelers from United States and China.
Tietjens' pressing concern is ensuring New Zealand maintain their series lead at the Adelaide Oval, where Samoa loom as their greatest threat.
New Zealand won the first two legs in Dubai and South Africa but were eliminated by Samoa in the semifinals at Wellington before the Pacific Islanders beat them in the Las Vegas final.
"They know the game inside out and have very good players in Mikaele Pesamino and Uale Mai," Tietjens told NZPA.
"Like us they've been in three finals, we're probably the form teams at the moment."
New Zealand lead at the halfway mark of the eight-leg series with 84 points.
Samoa are on 70 while perennial powerhouse Fiji lurk on 68.
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