New Zealand's Sam Dickson dives over to score a try during the rugby sevens match between New Zealand and Barbados in Glasgow this morning. Photo / Getty Images
Sir Gordon Tietjens dismissed claims that New Zealand had broken the rules in Glasgow after appearing to field one too many players in the pool match against Scotland.
Tim Mikkelson was shown a yellow card with 1 minute and 50 seconds remaining on the clock but - while a two-minute
sin-bin period should have ended his involvement in the game - he retuned to the field with New Zealand clinging on to a 17-14 lead.
But while Tietjens admitted that Mikkelson's return would have given the Kiwis a psychological boost, he revealed that instructions were received from officials for the player to return to the action.
"I didn't know anything about the timing issue," said Tietjens. "He was told by the official that his two minutes were up and he could come back on.
"You're supposed to get two minutes and that liaison is between my manager and the official. He was told to go back on. It's hard to say whether him coming back on would have made a difference. Mentally, perhaps it does."
Gillies Kaka was also shown a late yellow card but, with just five players on the field at one point, the Kiwis held on for a tense victory. Having kicked off the day with a 39-0 victory over Canada, the clash with Scotland was the toughest test of the opening session at Ibrox Stadium.
"You need to be given a fright every now and then," said Tietjens. "Scotland lifted themselves in a huge way and we knew that. We were 17-0 up at half time, they are a good side and they will go well in this tournament."
New Zealand sealed their clean sweep of victories on day one with a 59-0 thumping of Barbados. The Caribbean island proved easy pickings, but Tietjens will now await news over Sam Dickens, who could face disciplinary action for a dangerous tackle in the second half.
"No one should every lift a player in the tackle, we know that," said Tietjens. "He could be cited and if he's found guilty then we'll lose him for a couple of games and I'll be having a tough word."
New Zealand will face Kenya in their cup quarter final on the final day of the sevens competition.
