Rugby: Tietjens' sessions set high standard

POWERFUL ATTACKER: Billy Ropiha ticks a few boxes for Gordon Tietjens. PHOTO/FILE

BILLY ROPIHA never envisaged himself as an All Black Sevens squad contender.

"But now I'm here I intend to use it as a stepping stone. I want to stick with it and take each camp and each tournament as they come," Ropiha said midway through day two of the 22-strong squad's camp in Wellington yesterday.

The Hawke's Bay Magpies midfield back was one of three newcomers named in the squad by All Black Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens. Counties-Manukau's Josh Van Lieshout and Sione Molia are the others.

"I was pretty nervous coming into the camp but the old hands were all very welcoming and quite humble. They accepted us all," Ropiha explained.

Tietjens has told Ropiha he will be used as a hooker at the camp which will end when the squad is cut to 12 on Monday.

"Coach Tietjens told me I'm a strong ball carrier and he wants me to be aggressive in defence. He knows I attack pretty well and I bring strength to the table ... I'm just a bit worried I don't have the speed of some of these blokes here," Ropiha said.

Thursday saw the squad, which also includes Hawke's Bay's Gillies Kaka, have a team clarity run and a pool session. Yesterday was more intense with a gym session in the morning and a skill session in the afternoon.

"Some of the old hands told us yesterday was one of the easiest days in terms of workloads. We're expecting a tough afternoon," Ropiha said yesterday.

It's no secret Tietjens' training sessions have been some of the toughest on the planet. Players are often left vomiting and struggling to walk after some of Tietjens' workouts.

Sonny Bill Williams said he had never experienced anything tougher in league and union.

"I think that's why we had a light Thursday ... we've got a tough Friday afternoon to come," Ropiha said.

The Te Aute College product laughed when it was suggested his Kings of Club Rugby Charity boxing show opponent Rocky Pohatu might have been praying for Ropiha to make Tietjens squad so his training time for their March5 bout will be limited.

"I didn't see it that way but seriously I might have to contact Chris [Magpies halfback Eaton, who is organising the show] to tell him I might have to withdraw because I may have more Sevens training camps around that time."

When quizzed if he had asked Williams, a former New Zealand Professional Boxing Association heavyweight champion, for some boxing pointers Ropiha chuckled again. "We've just laughed about our respective boxing backgrounds so far."

There will be plenty of celebrating at the Taradale Rugby Club should Ropiha get the thumbs up on Monday. If that happens he will be their first players to be named in a New Zealand men's Sevens team since Colin Bourke in 2004. Prior to Bourke Dallas Seymour and Aaron Hamilton had that honour in the mid 1990s.