Former New Zealand rugby sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens has labelled the new World Series format as confusing and backwards.

Cost-cutting has seen the World Series get chopped into three divisions, with eight teams in the top flight only playing six tournaments before a 12-team finals weekend.

Tietjens says sevens is being pushed to the side.

LISTEN ABOVE 

Former New Zealand rugby sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens has labelled the new World Series format as confusing and backwards.
Cost-cutting has seen the World Series get chopped into three divisions, with eight teams in the top flight only playing six tournaments before a 12-team finals weekend.
Tietjens says sevens is being pushed to the side.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

D'Arcy Waldegrave lives and breathes sport. He loves motorsport and revels in the torment of being a Warriors and Black Caps fan. Whatever the sport, big or small, he’s got a view. His non-stop enthusiasm sees him battle it out with a diverse selection of armchair commentators resulting in a sometimes explosive, but always compelling show weeknights 7pm-8pm on Newstalk ZB.

D'Arcy Waldegrave lives and breathes sport. He loves motorsport and revels in the torment of being a Warriors and Black Caps fan. Whatever the sport, big or small, he’s got a view.

Sportstalk with D'Arcy Waldegrave

Sir Gordon Tietjens: World Rugby's attempt to save the SVNS World Series

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/64433334-1e1f-4750-bd36-b2d1007a371f/transcript

D'Arcy Waldegrave returned to wrap another day of sports news! Highlights for tonight include:

Kevin Hickland from Auckland Marist Rugby Club on why they're ditching junior fees.

Talkback - Are fees the biggest barrier to kids playing sport?

Wyatt Crockett on imminently losing the record for most Super Rugby appearances to James Slipper.

LISTEN ABOVE

D'Arcy Waldegrave returned to wrap another day of sports news! Highlights for tonight include:
Kevin Hickland from Auckland Marist Rugby Club on why they're ditching junior fees.
Talkback - Are fees the biggest barrier to kids playing sport?
Wyatt Crockett on imminently losing the record for most Super Rugby appearances to James Slipper.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show: Sportstalk with D'Arcy Waldegrave - March 19, 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b3aa17ae-6b29-433e-9c22-b412007c4032/transcript

James Slipper of the ACT Brumbies is about to make Super Rugby history.

When he takes the field against the Chiefs on Friday it'll be his 203rd Super Rugby appearance - the most ever by any player.

Wyatt Crockett was (and still is for a little longer) the record-holder with 202 Super Rugby matches under his belt, so Sportstalk's D'Arcy Waldegrave decided to get Wyatt on the phone and see how many 'Slipper' puns he could work into one interview...

LISTEN ABOVE

James Slipper of the ACT Brumbies is about to make Super Rugby history.
When he takes the field against the Chiefs on Friday it'll be his 203rd Super Rugby appearance - the most ever by any player.
Wyatt Crockett was (and still is for a little longer) the record-holder with 202 Super Rugby matches under his belt, so Sportstalk's D'Arcy Waldegrave decided to get Wyatt on the phone and see how many 'Slipper' puns he could work into one interview...
LISTEN ABOVE

Wyatt Crockett: former Crusaders prop on James Slipper beating his Super Rugby appearance record

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b32976e0-4dbf-4e86-b341-b412007b324f/transcript

Rugby clubs around the country are scrapping fees for juniors in a bid to get more kids playing sport.

Counties Manukau has been doing this since 2024 - and one Auckland club is following suit.

Auckland Marist's Kevin Hickland spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk.

LISTEN ABOVE

Rugby clubs around the country are scrapping fees for juniors in a bid to get more kids playing sport.
Counties Manukau has been doing this since 2024 - and one Auckland club is following suit.
Auckland Marist's Kevin Hickland spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk.
LISTEN ABOVE

Kevin Hickland: Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club spokesperson on the increase in rugby clubs scrapping fees for juniors

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/421fc266-a538-4f2b-bd04-b412007a47b9/transcript

Sir Gordon Tietjens: World Rugby's attempt to save the SVNS World Series

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