Commonwealth Games: Tietjens wants golden send-off at Rio Games

Sir Gordon Tietjens. Photo / Alan Gibson

Gordon Tietjens does not plan to return for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as the long-serving New Zealand coach prepares for his retirement.

The 58-year-old is instead hoping for a golden send-off at the 2016 Olympics in Rio after his side's era of dominance was brought to a crushing close in Glasgow.

New Zealand missed out on Commonwealth gold for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1998 - with Tietjens' incredible unbeaten run in the competition coming to an end with a 17-12 defeat by South Africa.

"It's not bad to have 30 wins out of 31 games," said Tietjens. "It's a pretty good record, but I don't think I'll be here in four years' time."

Ibrox Stadium was left stunned as South Africa celebrated their victory in front of 45,000 supporters. Hopes of a fifth consecutive gold medal went up in smoke but, following silly mistakes, including a cheap yellow card for Bryce Heem, Tietjens refused to criticise his defeated squad.

"For nine players, it was their first time at the Commonwealth Games," he said. "When you put that into perspective, they will be good for Rio."

While Tietjens insisted on selecting contracted sevens specialists for the competition, South Africa's line-up boasted international XVs star Cornal Hendricks.

Tietjens maintained his stance that XVs players are not conditioned to the correct levels for the short-form sport. "I brought one Super Rugby player in Pita Ahki and he blew a hamstring after two or three minutes against Canada," he said. "That was his tournament over and the conditioning levels probably weren't there."

Yet Tietjens has still expressed a willingness to look at Super Rugby players with a view to the Olympics.

"If we play very well and win the Rugby World Cup, which would be awesome, then you have a lot of players who may put their hand up and say: 'yep, I'm keen'," said Tietjens.

"There's been a huge wish list sent out to all the players who I consider could be a real contender for the Olympics. They'll make a decision about whether they want to be considered and, if they do, then sevens becomes their priority in that particular year."