Former All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens is returning to coaching after being named to as the new mentor for Samoa.

The 60-year-old stepped down last month after 23 years in charge of the New Zealand men’s sevens rugby side following the side’s quarter-final exit at the Rio Olympics.

He was unveiled as Samoa’s new coach at a press conference on Friday.

Tietjens, who led New Zealand to two World Cups, four Commonwealth Games gold medals and 12 world series crowns, will have former Manu Samoa coach Stephen Betham as his assistant.

Samoa missed out on qualifying for this year’s Olympic Games.

Kenya had also been seeking the signature of Tietjens.

NZ Rugby has yet to name a replacement for Tietjens.