Can Singapore become Asia’s rugby hub? | Paul Tietjens

Singapore has long been a key stop on the global Sevens circuit, but can it become a genuine rugby powerhouse in its own right?

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Tietjens, Head of Sevens in Singapore, to explore how the nation is building its rugby identity through the fast-paced format of the game.

We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing rugby in South East Asia, why Sevens can be the engine for long-term growth in fifteens, and how Singapore compares with regional rival Hong Kong in infrastructure, culture, and ambition.

Rugby pedigree runs deep in the Tietjens family. Paul is the son of legendary coach Sir Gordon Tietjens, widely regarded as one of the greatest Sevens coaches of all time after transforming the All Blacks sevens team into a global force over more than two decades.

We also talk about the influence of growing up around elite rugby environments, and what lessons from New Zealand and Samoa can be applied to emerging rugby nations today.

x:@AllTheRuckusPod