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Tietjens satisfied with Samoa Sevens improvement in Las Vegas and looks ahead to Vancouver

"The 2017 HSBC Canada Sevens Captain’s photo took place last night with distinctly ‘Canadian’ flavour as the 16 teams were invited onto the ice prior to a Vancouver Canucks hockey game. Once the photo was taken, the Canadian and South African captains took part in a ceremonial faceoff with the captains of the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks.  The rugby players remained on the ice for the singing of the US and Canadian National anthems. [photo: courtesy World Rugby]
The Manu Samoa Sevens team has been dealt a blow they did not need ahead of the Vancouver Sevens this weekend.
“I was really satisfied as a coach by the way we’ve played at times and the improvement we’ve made,” he said. Tietjens on Samoa Sevens in Vegas

The team could be without veteran forward Faalemiga Selesele who is struggling with a shoulder injury.

“I more than likely won’t be utilising him this weekend,” Tietjens told the Samoa Observer from Vancouver last night.

“I want him to get right for Hong Kong, I think that’s really important moving forward. He’s still here getting treatment and training with the boys but I probably wont look to start him during the tournament.”

The men in blue will look to use the momentum of a much-improved performance at the Las Vegas Sevens where they were unlucky to lose Trophy final to Kenya.

“I was really satisfied as a coach by the way we’ve played at times and the improvement we’ve made,” he said.

“Even in the very first game when we played U.S.A., which we lost 24-5, I saw enough in that game that we can be a real threat when we start putting everything together.

“When it came to England, it came to the final play, when we were hot on attack and Lester Sefo got held up over the line. We were so close to being one of the finalists. That form really came into fruition against Chile and Scotland, which was a very good win. ”

Tietjens said it is always tough to manage players, especially over three tough days of competition.

“I would also like to mention the challenging conditions that we faced,” he said.

“The wind was a real challenge. It was very difficult to play in and it became a leveler really. In our final against Kenya, which came right down to the wire, it was very hard for the team to score into the breeze.

Read more at Ultimate Rugby Sevens