Gordon Tiejtens

This follows disappointing crowd numbers who turned up to watch the game NZ supposedly loves and supports.

The former All Black Sevens coach, who is now coaching the Manu Samoa, told the 1News that figures were just “sad.”

“There were just no atmosphere and no people there,” Tietjens told 1News.

“If you look back over a number of years, Wellington was a really great place to play. Every team gets up when playing in front of a huge crowd like that, and not to have anyone there this year, was sad because that tournament used to be very, very good.

Tuilaepa says Tietjens is a blessing to the country’s beloved team.

“What is most important is that no one in the game of sevens has the same win record as this man, Sir Gordon. He has a vast experience in coaching and all his career wins. It means he’s the most experienced, and the best coach Samoa could ever have,” he said.

There have been mixed reactions from the public to Tietjens appointment.

Tuilaepa says former Samoa sevens head coach who led the 2010 team that won the world series, Stephen Betham will be Tietjens assistant coach.