SIR Gordon Tietjens knows a thing or two about sevens rugby.
He speaks with authority whenever the abbreviated version of the sport is mentioned.
Having guided the New Zealand 7s side to success over two decades, the celebrated coach is now plying his trade with Samoa.
The reality is he has had more international success than any other sevens coach, and it is a fact that has not been matched yet.
As we count down to the start of the Hamilton 7s this weekend, Sir Gordon has put pressure on the national side by placing us on a high plane.
He makes no bones about what he expects from Fiji this weekend.
Fiji, he believes, would be unbeatable.
He’s picked newcomers Meli Derenalagi, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Vilimoni Botitu as our X-factors.
They are the unknown element, he insists.
“We have new players coming in on the Fiji side and we do not know about them,” he said.
“They are no doubt the X-factors that suit the team.
“Last year, Fiji won the tournament at the last stag es of their games. Only good teams can do that and to do that, you have to have very good players.”
National coach Gareth Baber preferred to head into the event with no strings attached, sidelining pressure.
Attention will no doubt shift on to Sir Gordon’s comments though, highlighting the Fijian challenge this weekend.
Fiji, he believes, are going to “be unbeatable again”.
“This year will be a lot more competitive because more teams are picking up on the game of 7s,” he said.
“Fiji has a good side and has a lot of depth. They will step up after last year’s win. Fiji is great because they understand each other. That’s why they are the best in the world.”
If that wasn’t enough, the atmosphere in Hamilton could turn out to have a positive impact on Fiji’s chances, with hundreds of Fijian fans expected to converge on the Waikato Stadium over the two-day event. Any Fijian player, he said, in any side in the World Rugby Sevens Series, would make a difference.
“They have speed, composure and they understand the game. That’s the advantage Fiji has over a lot of teams.
“Fiji can send three teams to any tournament and they will reach the quarter-finals. It is how good they are.”
The accolades coming from the sevens mentor could also turn the heat on us starting tomorrow.
But then again, Sir Gordon had to be a master tactician and strategist over 22 years to be the best.
That meant being a good coach on the field, with a strong psychological edge off the field.
Our challenge is to stay focused, and get our bases covered. Go Fiji, go.
