Samoa Sevens rugby

RNZ reports Tietjens is in Samoa to discuss taking charge of the side.

Samoa Rugby chief executive Faleomavaega Fepulea'i said an announcement would be made by the union's chairman, Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, also the country's Prime Minister, tomorrow morning.

RNZ Sport understands Tietjens has been offered the head coach role and is in Samoa checking out the facilities and negotiating the terms of his contract. If a deal can't be done the job would likely go to former Samoa sevens and 15s coach Stephen Betham.

Having been humbled 31-0 in Sydney last month, Samoa stunned the World Series champions 28-24 in their opening pool match in Las Vegas, ending Fiji's run of 39 consecutive wins in pool play.

Radio New Zealand International reports Fiji went on to defend their title in Las Vegas and move five points clear at the top of the series standings.

Coach Damien McGrath told Loop Samoa he is mixing and matching his choices in the athletes available for Samoa as he warms up in his coaching position.

"We have a few overseas players fly in, including Tom Iosefo who has arrived back from New Zealand with hopes to join the team," McGrath said in an exclusive interview with Loop Samoa.

The latest edition of the series kicks off this weekend in Dubai and the Samoan team have been preparing with a different vision, led by new coach Damian McGrath and his assistant Brian Lima.

Samoa Rugby Chief Executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai says the duo complement each other well, and even though the team recently lost to Tonga in the Oceania Sevens semi-finals, they are on track for further improvement.

Faleomavaega says as well as qualifying for next year's Olympics, the team is looking to contend once again in the world series.

According to the draw announced by World Rugby on Friday, South Africa are the top-seeds in Pool B for the opening round of the bigger HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The Springbok Sevens are the defending Dubai champions.

With global excitement building ahead of Sevens’ biggest season, the world’s top players - representing 28 national teams - will compete in Dubai from December 3-5. The 12-team women’s tournament will be played on December 3/4 and the 16-team men’s event on December 4/5.