Career
When the International Rugby Board inducted him into the Institutional Review Board Hall of Fame in May 2012, it said that "Tietjens" roll of honour is without peer in Sevens, and perhaps in the Game of Rugby as a whole." According to Spiro Zavos, Tietjens is "The greatest of all the Sevens coaches". He has also added two more Institutional Review Board Sevens series titles (2013 and 2014), and a second Rugby World Cup Sevens crown (also in 2013). Tietjens has coached many young players who have gone on to become All Blacks, including Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, and Liam Messam.
As of June 2010 Tietjens has coached 36 players who have gone on to become All Blacks in the 15-a-side game.
Tietjens is currently assisted by Eric Rush, a former long-serving captain of the New Zealand Sevens team and a former Sevens star himself. In 2012, his contract as the New Zealand Sevens coach was extended through to 2016.
This allows Tietjens to be part of Sevens rugby"s first inclusion in the Olympic Games.