Legacy: Sir Gordon Tietjens: My Story

by Gordon Tietjens, Scotty Stevenson

His many accolades - including 12 IRB World Series, two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles and four Commonwealth Games gold medals - easily place him alongside other legendary leaders like Lochore, Henry and Hansen. Many were dumbfounded, then, by the New Zealand Sevens team's horror showing at the 2016 Rio Olympics - knocked out at the quarter-finals stage, followed by Tietjens' shock departure from the franchise after a hugely influential 22 years at the helm. Legacy unpacks that fateful Olympic campaign and many other career challenges, but also charts Tietjens' glory on the world stage, his knack for spotting and cultivating our next rugby stars, his insights into leadership and management strategies, and his thoughts on the future of the game. What unfolds is a gripping account of sport, business and life from a man who gave so much to New Zealand rugby. His many accolades - including 12 IRB World Series, two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles and four Commonwealth Games gold medals - easily place him alongside other legendary leaders like Lochore, Henry and Hansen. Many were dumbfounded, then, by the New Zealand Sevens team's horror showing at the 2016 Rio Olympics - knocked out at the quarter-finals stage, followed by Tietjens' shock departure from the franchise after a hugely influential 22 years at the helm. Legacy unpacks that fateful Olympic campaign and many other career challenges, but also charts Tietjens' glory on the world stage, his knack for spotting and cultivating our next rugby stars, his insights into leadership and management strategies, and his thoughts on the future of the game. What unfolds is a gripping account of sport, business and life from a man who gave so much to New Zealand rugby.

420 pages, Paperback

Published October 30, 2017

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable look inside the mind and motivations of a legendary coach. I found this a compelling read as I was familiar with the subject matter and the events he was taking about.

He states that his fundamentals are fitness, hard work and having clear goals and aspirations. He maintains that nothing can be achieved without full commitment and hard work.

I also enjoyed his views on fitness training and fitness testing.

In all quite an enjoyable read which spreads a little light on the people and personalities behind an elite sports team

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful and engaging with lots of messages from a strong willed man who gave so much of himself (and continues to do so). A fascinating insight into the growth of seven's rugby not just in New Zealand but world-wide and the struggle for it to be recognised as a sport in it's own right. Leaders and managers in all walks of life will be able to take something out of this book.

[Gary Pointon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than his previous book. It digs into the reasons for his continued success and the basic elements he trusts to fall back on whether it’s sport or business. Pretty much the only way to tell his story as it’s not one of a single triumph but a multitude over 22 years.
Quick read, super simple really enjoyed.