Gordon Tietjens tests New Zealand’s Sevens team – Rugby news
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Sevens team head coach, Gordon Tietjens, has put to test the fitness level of the All Blacks during the two-day training camp held in Wellington, New Zealand.
Gordon Tietjens, who has helped the Sevens side lift numerous titles including the sevens championship and commonwealth medals, was given an opportunity for the first time in his life to run the training camp of the All Blacks squad.
Three New Zealand based Super Rugby franchises including the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs players were included in the 25-man training squad announced for the All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup preparations plan. The squad did not include players from
the Blues and Crusaders who are currently involved in the 2011 Super Rugby championship play-offs. Blues will play against Reds while Crusaders will weather the Stormers at Cape Town on Saturday July 2.
Tietjens has expressed his satisfaction at the fitness of the players. Commenting on the end of the training session he said, “You certainly saw an imbalance in fitness levels, some are really right up there now and some need to get up there - and they will
- but what we did today will certainly be beneficial for them.”
Providing the details of his first training session with the All Blacks, Gordon Tietjens said, “There was a lot of running in that session, probably more than what they've done in the past.”
Gordon Tietjens, renowned for ensuring a higher degree of physical fitness from his squads, has negated the popular belief that he is looking to break the All Black players. However, he confirmed that he would want all the guys to work hard and his tactics
will help make the players work harder.
All Blacks head coach, Graham Henry, has supported Tietjens tactics and coaching style. He said,” You can see why his team are world champions, why he is the best in the world - he certainly knows how to work the guys and the guys enjoy it. They were buggered
obviously, but they got a lot out of it.”
Gordon Tietjens earlier confirmed that his opinion regarding the players and their performance will be incorporated into the plans of the All Blacks management. He said, “If there are any strengths and weakness that I identify coaching them that'll be part
of the discussions that take place afterwards.”
Tietjens has conducted the session in very wet and cold condition and has termed the fitness of most of the players as acceptable. He will conduct his second camp for the All Blacks during the next week at Wellington.
All Blacks are expected to announce their squad for the upcoming 2011 Tri Nations series on July 10.
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