Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi has vehemently defended the appointment of Sir Gordon Tiejtens as head coach for Samoa sevens.
Tuilaepa says Tietjens is a blessing to the country’s beloved team.
“What is most important is that no one in the game of sevens has the same win record as this man, Sir Gordon. He has a vast experience in coaching and all his career wins. It means he’s the most experienced, and the best coach Samoa could ever have,” he said.
There have been mixed reactions from the public to Tietjens appointment.
Tuilaepa says former Samoa sevens head coach who led the 2010 team that won the world series, Stephen Betham will be Tietjens assistant coach.
“It’s important that we have Tietjens because his knowledge in the game means a whole lot of new ideas and methods which is why we put our next best man under him as an understudy, to learn and capture everything he has to teach,” said Tuilaepa.
He made the comments in response to questions about whether language would be a barrier between the coach players and that it would be better to have a Samoan coach instead.
Tuilaepa dismissed the notion that there would be an issue with communication saying the players have no issue understanding English and that most of the Samoan players are well educated. As a matter of fact, some are part-time rugby players and full-time teachers and public servicemen.
“You see, I’m going to spill the beans here. He was offered five times more money to coach for Kenya than the amount we have, but he still chose Samoa. That means his heart is here with the people of this island making him more than just the best man for the job,” he said.
Tietjens contract with New Zealand ends in December and he begins his new assignment with Samoa in January 2017.
Meanwhile Tuilaepa says he will be working as an advisor for the first two legs of the World Series that will kick off next month.