Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams share trade secrets
Sonny Bill Williams arrived for his first official day in All Blacks Sevens camp on Sunday with numerous question marks hanging over his head.
"The big thing for me is just getting out there and doing it, getting reps in," Williams said.
"I've got confidence that I'll be able to pick it up eventually but that's the reason I'm a full-time Sevens player this year, because I knew coming into it that it would be really tough and I've got to give it my all."
Rubbing shoulders with Sevens veterans DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson has been invaluable for Williams' education in what is his fourth professional sport and he has already begun drawing from their combined 62 tournaments' worth of experience.
But it's not only the old heads helping out, with 18-year-old Reiko Ioane revealing he has also been sought after by the code-hopping star for advice.
"He definitely has a lot of learning to do. He's come up to me a few times and asked me what to do," Ioane said.
"I've helped him which is pretty cool for me, giving him advice - especially someone of his calibre."
While Ioane has no doubt Williams will successfully make the switch in time for the Rio Olympics, he is hoping his new team-mate can help him make his own mark in the 15-man game.
Ioane has already secured a contract to play alongside brother Akira at the Blues in Super Rugby but believes advice from Williams, also a midfielder, could help him reach the elite echelon.
"It's good having [Williams] around. He can help both my 15s and Sevens game," Ioane said.
For now both players have their sights set on selection for the Wellington Sevens tournament which takes place on January 30-31.
Williams admitted the fitness regime has been one of the biggest challenges but a full week of Tietjens' infamous training sessions should put him in good stead.
"The first day we got in we did a beep test.
"Usually, in our [Super Rugby] franchises, we do a beep test but there's not too much after that. But then we came out here for what I think was about an hour of fitness games, and after 20 minutes I couldn't get out of a jogging pace.
"It was a bit of a wake-up call but in saying that, I know where I'm at and I know where I want to go. I know that comes from a lot of hard work and I'm just lucky enough to be given the opportunity to be around these guys 24/7."