Who are we to argue with Gordon Tietjens? He played for New Zealand once at the Hong Kong Sevens, in 1983, but it's as a coach that he's etched his name forever into rugby history.
Seven of the eight IRB Sevens World Series titles have gone to New Zealand on his watch, as well as one Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2001 in Mar del Plata and all three Commonwealth Games golds contested so far. His current New Zealand side have won all four Cup titles on offer so far this season.
Here Tietjens picks his all-time favourite Hong Kong Sevens VII for irbsevens.com.
Forwards
Eric Rush, NZ
"Without question. Someone who's been to 15 or 16 Hong Kong tournaments as a player, played for me at 39 years of age. Incredible fitness levels and athleticism, skill levels and knowledge of the game, he was the complete Sevens player. I believe he was at his best for me in around '95 but his leadership qualities for me mark him out too. He'd be captain of this team.
Jonah Lomu, NZ
Jonah was just frightening when he first arrived on the scene. He was
so fast as a forward, immensely strong obviously in the contact areas
and so big. He took so many players out of the game defensively, quite
brilliant. Someone so big having a step and acceleration at the size he
was, and fast as well was just unbelievable really to have him here
playing Sevens. He was 18 when he first came here to Hong Kong and went
on to do three Hong Kongs with me.
Mesaki Raseri, Fiji
I always remember him as a youngster. He was big, athletic, such a wide range of skills as a Fijian. Ball in one hand, very quick, a big loping stride. One of the most outstanding Fiji Sevens rugby players I've ever seen.
Backs
Amasio Valence Raoma
He played for me as a 17-year old and just had it all. The knowledge, the vision, everything. At his best I'd say he was one of the best Sevens players ever. Three Commonwealth Games winners medals, a part of all of those Series winning teams, magic in Melbourne [2006 Commonwealth Games], and also in the World Cup. Also one of the prolific try scorers in Sevens. Not always the best trainer but as a coach I had to get the best out of him, and I had to work him very hard, probably more than some of the others, a lot of the others in fact! But in saying that, you can't coach the vision and understanding he had of the game of Sevens.
Waisale Serevi, Fiji
Quick, athletic, magical skills. Could beat a man one on one no question whatsoever. A great attacking player. He was one of those players who'd be scoring tries, sprinting back to defend, so fit, such a presence on a rugby field, he just commanded respect. He was the thorn in my side so often as a coach, he was the man you had to stop and won them so many games, and even up to one or two years ago. Even last year here in Hong Kong he scored the winning try against us, it was heart-breaking, but they called him the wizard and he was. He deserves his aura here. He was Fiji.
Christian Cullen, NZ
Played one game for me in '95 here against Chinese Taipei and then scored 18 tries in six games in '96. Support play, one on one abiliity, lovely swerve, a step, just all the skills and very fit and focused. Really made his mark here and then stamped his mark on the international scene straight after that.
David Campese, AUS
For me the all-time best flyer, when he was really quick and at his best, was David Campese. Magical skills, a lovely step in and out. He could memorise the opposition, taunted them in some ways, and at the time Australia were a very competitive side but he was the real threat out wide and he went on to prove that, playing in World Cups in the game of 15s as well.
Gordon Tietjens, Coach
With a team like that, in their prime, the team talk would basically be: 'Guys just go out and express yourselves and showcase your skills', and that would be it. And they would, they'd do that, they'd compliment each other, every one of them. Power, size, skills, speed. The complete Sevens team."
