Tietjens? talent factory

New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens is in many ways a victim of his own success.
The Tietjens production line spat out another batch of quality players as his team won their third consecutive International Rugby Board sevens title here on Saturday.
New Zealand dismantled Argentina 31-7 in the final and over the preceding five matches the public were introduced to promising players such as Tamati Ellison, Edwin Cocker and Isaiah Toeava while Wellington winger Roy Kinikinilau burst back into the spotlight.
Kinikinilau's re-emergence was shortlived, however, as injury has ruled both he and captain Liam Messam out of the next round of the world series, in Los Angeles next weekend.
Messam, could be out for up to four weeks and will undergo surgery on his right knee after suffering a recurrence of an earlier injury during the Wellington leg of the series.
Kinikinilau, who injured his right knee during the tournament, was to see a doctor to determine the extent of the injury.
They have been replaced by Bay of Plenty's Jason Hona and North Harbour loose forward Brent Wilson for the tournament in Los Angeles.
Over the years many players have progressed to the Super 12 and All Blacks after earning their spurs in sevens through the Tietjens regime.
And just when Tietjens has a settled squad, if not injuries then the long arm of the Super 12 franchises often pick through his squad leaving him to search for more bodies.
"I wish there was a factory for players because we don't have enough guys playing sevens and sometimes you have to convince them of the opportunities," Tietjens said about his playing stocks.
After the strong debuts of especially Ellison, Tietjens was resigned to eventually losing some players to 15s, but the flipside of the success was it helped to attract talent.
"I know a lot of Super 12 players who have been involved in sevens would love to be part of this again," Tietjens said.
"Sevens also keeps some players in New Zealand.
"Once they've done their time in sevens and they don't make the Super 12 they may look to head offshore and perhaps we can't compete.
"But look at Orene Ai'i for instance ? we couldn't lose him. He hasn't got a Super 12 contract but he's quite outstanding in what he can achieve on a sevens field.
"I suppose it's also quite scary when you see what Roy Kinikinilau did was just phenomenal. At just 80-90 per cent he's got a magnificent fend and he scored heaps of tries out wide.
"Again with the exposure (sevens) gives to these players, how long have we got them for?"
New Zealand head into the fourth leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) series in Los Angeles next weekend clear leaders on 52 points with Fiji second on 44 and England a further eight points adrift.
New Zealand were easily the best team in the Wellington tournament, thumping leading sides Fiji 26-7, Samoa 26-14 in the quarterfinals and South Africa 34-12 enroute to the title ? their second this season after winning in South Africa in December.
Argentina employed underhand tactics in the final as Ellison was bitten and also had his testicles tugged.
Santiago Gomez Cora was sent off midway through the second half for biting and was suspended from all rugby until February 15 after an IRB judicial hearing here on Saturday night.
He will miss the Los Angeles tournament.
After Los Angeles, New Zealand have the sevens World Cup in Hong Kong next month, and Tietjens can play poacher on the Super 12 after gaining permission to select one player from each franchise for that tournament.
All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Joe Rocokoko have been mentioned as possible inclusions ? a prospect Tietjens relishes after his current 12-man squad did the business here so well.
"It's a great headache to have," Tietjens said.- NZPA