Tietjens' side have so far failed to win an event on this year's IRB Sevens Series circuit © Getty Images

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Teams: New Zealand

New Zealand 7s coach Gordon Tietjens has received a mixed response from the Super 14 players he targeted for next month's World Cup.

Tietjens nominated several names at each of the five New Zealand franchises who he wanted to consider for selection for the sevens World Cup at Dubai from March 5-7. He played his cards close to his chest today when asked about his success rate - although he revealed five "quality players" from one unnamed franchise wanted to be considered.

"I was really pleased that some players have put their hand up to come and have a crack," he told NZPA. "In some other cases maybe I'm a little disappointed that they won't be there."

Tietjens' key targets are players who have been in his squad over the past two years and only recently made the step up to Super 14. Former captain and Chiefs captain Liam Messam is one obvious candidate but Tietjens wouldn't say who he had nominated nor who was available.

The final confirmation is likely soon after this weekend's International Rugby Board tournament in Wellington. "I have to sit back and think which player do I really need to fill the spots that I believe need it ... only some players can make the transition."

A maximum of one player from each of the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders can be released to Tietjens. He said the two players he nominated at one franchise had both declined his advances meaning no more than four players can be added to his World Cup squad outside the current group of sevens-contracted players.

He sympathised with players who believed their 15-a-side ambitions may be thwarted by skipping Super 14 commitments as well as having to change tack with their training. Tietjens would need the players for two weeks leading up to Dubai, meaning they would miss rounds three and four of the Super 14.

"I only want to take players to the World Cup who want to be there," he said. "That's the key. If there's any hesitation whatsoever, because a player's looking at the bigger picture, then I support that."

Tietjens said in a "dream world" he would have access to all of New Zealand's premier players. However, he believed some players had now moved beyond sevens, such as All Blacks veterans Mils Muliaina and Rodney So'oialo, who were brilliant under Tietjens before advancing their careers. "They're in a different league, they're players who are fully entrenched in the All Blacks now," he said. "The game has changed, it's evolved since some of those players played for me."