Although he was born in Australia, Tietjens grew up in
New Zealand and attended school in
Palmerston North. He moved south to attend the
University of Otago in 2004, and was selected to
Otago B sides in 2006 and 2007 but never played for the full Otago provincial squad. Returning north in 2008, Tietjens cracked the
Manawatu squad for the
2008 Air New Zealand Cup. He continues as a solid squad player for the Turbos for the next few seasons, before having a breakout year in the
2011 ITM Cup, scoring 4 tries for a vastly improved side. Tietjens missed the entire
2012 ITM Cup after suffering a major knee injury while playing Super Rugby. For the
2013 ITM Cup, Tietjens moved to
Taranaki and made 8 appearances in his comeback from serious injury.
Super Rugby After his strong season with Manawatu in 2011, Tietjens was signed by the
Highlanders for the
2012 Super Rugby season. He made 6 appearances for the club before his season was ended prematurely by a serious knee injury. ==References==