"He's got a challenge and a dream and a goal, and it's to go to the Olympics - to be the best he can be. He's nervous, but he's also coming into this camp with a lot of confidence."
Tietjens said the players looked up to Williams and were learning from him, but the two-time World Cup winner was well aware he needed to prove himself in sevens.
First and foremost, Williams needed to find a position.
"I'm looking to play him in the forwards but, at the same time, we've got different phases in different games where we'll put him into the backs as well - he'll be a handful for any opposition," Tietjens said.
"But getting a real understanding of the game and the position that I want him to play in is probably key at the moment."
He said Williams had absorbed a surprising amount of information in just three days, from video and blackboard sessions to on-field work.
Exactly when Williams would make his sevens debut wasn't clear yet, Tietjens added.
Listen to Sir Gordon Tietjens interview with D'Arcy Waldegrave on The Sauce
"I'm not too sure whether he'll play Wellington - we've got to find the right time to put him out there.
"He certainly could be in Wellington, more than likely he will be in Wellington, but we want to make sure that he's really right and ready to go."
Williams, who has excelled at three different sports, said he has faith in his ability to make an impact in sevens.
"I have confidence that I will be able to pick it up eventually," Williams said.
"I know I have a lot to learn and know where I'm at but I have faith in my ability and what I can bring to the table."
The New Zealand sevens side have endured a difficult start to their world series campaign, and are in the unfamiliar position of seventh after two of the 10 rounds after being hit by multiple injuries, but Tietjens has plenty of firepower to call on. He said he will put out different combinations in the next six rounds before settling on close to his Olympic squad for the Paris and London legs in May.
"Coming into this environment is a little overwhelming," Williams said. "I watched a lot of sevens last year and just seeing some of the magical things they can do... I'm a little bit starstruck."
It doesn't mean they get All Black treatment. Williams might be used to five-star treatment but had to cope with a bunk bed like the rest of the squad in sevens camp.
"No bullshit," Williams said of the environment. "It's just about getting the job done."
They should have a better chance of doing that with Williams on deck
Tietjens has named Tim Mikkelson as All Blacks sevens captain for the remaining eight matches of the world series.
He takes over from Scott Curry, who dislocated his shoulder in the opening round in Dubai, requiring surgery which has ruled him out of the rest of the season.
- AAP
