New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is predicting a huge rise in the number of people playing the sport following its inclusion in the Olympic Games from 2016.

The International Olympic Committee voted on Friday to add sevens and golf to the programme for the Games in Rio de Janeiro, a decision applauded by Tietjens.

"(Sevens) is going to grow as a sport, particularly into the Asian countries. I think you will see sevens rugby really on the map now," he told Press Association Sport.

"It's been successful in the world series. It's been successful in the last three Commonwealth Games as an outstanding spectator sport and I believe you'll get a huge upsurge in the playing numbers."

New Zealand have dominated the sevens circuit since the launch of the IRB World Series, winning eight titles under Tietjens, plus three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Current All Blacks Mils Muliaina, Rodney So'oialo and Cory Jane all enjoyed success in sevens, with Muliaina and So'oialo part of the 2002 gold-medal winning team in Manchester and Jane a winner in Melbourne in 2006.

Jonah Lomu also launched his career playing sevens before confirming his legendary status at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups.

"I think you're still going to get players aspiring to be All Blacks using sevens as a launching pad," agreed Tietjens.

"But a lot of the younger players coming in now are going to use sevens, not only as a launching pad, but also perhaps looking ahead to being part of an Olympic Games."