Sevens: Tietjens's son takes a giant step

Paul Tietjens has taken a massive step forward towards his goal of becoming a professional sevens coach.

Tietjens, 28, will coach the New Zealand Selection side at the 20th edition of the Howard Hinton Sevens in Tours, France next week while the All Blacks Sevens team, coached by his father Sir Gordon Tietjens, is competing in the HSBC World Series in London.

There are 16 teams from all over Europe and a special side Serevi Selects brought to the Howard Hinton Sevens by Fiji's greatest player Waisake Serevi.

"Brad Fleming was originally meant to be taking it but couldn't go so he suggested it would be an idea to take me across. I am really looking forward to the experience," Tietjens said.

"I am still quite young but have done a fair bit of coaching. I am coaching guys who are in the New Zealand squad so there is a little bit of nerves there but at the same time a whole lot of excitement.

"There are four or five players that are still vying to come back into camp after the two tournaments for Olympic selection, so if they get injuries these players have to stand up.

"The five contracted New Zealand players are Bodene Waka, Billy Ropiha, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Isaac Te Tamaki and Isaac Te Aute, plus Trinity Spooner-Neera and Luke Masirewa who have played for New Zealand before.

"Mason Walker has been away with the boys to a couple of pre-season tournaments.

"I've got to communicate through the right channels and talk to dad on how the boys are tracking."

Mount Maunganui's Danny Kayes is also on his way to France.

Tietjens has big wraps on the former New Zealand water polo rep.

"He has impressed in club footy and sevens with the Mount. He was probably unlucky to not play more for the Bay but family commitments prevented that and I think this year if he gets a little bit fitter he could really be an exciting prospect in sevens."

Tietjens is a PE teacher at Mount Maunganui College but in the future would love to emulate his father and be a full-time sevens coach.

"That is definitely my long-term goal to obviously push on from teaching. I see teaching as a way to step forward to coaching. It is a very similar role and obviously I want to follow the aspirations that my dad set.

"I want to look to grow in the game of Sevens as a coach as the great game is growing."

Over the past few seasons Tietjens has proved himself coaching Te Puna and Mount Maunganui teams to finals and titles.

This summer he coached Mount Maunganui to victory at the Mount Maunganui Sevens, Greerton Marist Sevens and Bay of Plenty Baywide Club Sevens Tournament before they won the Bowl final at the National Club Sevens in Wainuiomata.