By Paul LewisSir Gordon Tietjens, newly appointed Samoa sevens coach, will miss the first two world circuit tournaments in Dubai and South Africa - because he is still on 'gardening leave' from New Zealand Rugby. Asked why, Tietjens eventually said: "I am still on contract to New Zealand Rugby and it runs through December, up to January. So, in spite of all the reports saying first Tietjens had retired and then marking his appointment as Samoa coach, it seems his 22-year stint with New Zealand Rugby is not yet over. New Zealand Rugby High Performance Manager Don Tricker said: "We've reached a confidential agreement with Sir Gordon so it's not really appropriate for us to comment further." Laidlaw, 38, is said to be highly regarded after a stint as Hurricanes assistant from 2014-15 and as skills coach for Tietjens' sevens team.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 28, 2016 20:38 UTC