The New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens concedes the IRB world series title is now out of their grasp after another disappointing round in Adelaide.
The New Zealanders were beaten by tournament winners South Africa in the quarter-finals, before going on to lose to England in the semi-finals of the Plate.
South Africa lead the standings with 104 points with 2 rounds remaining, England are 28 points back in second, while New Zealand are 5th.
Tietjens says New Zealand will come back strongly next year with some good young players who will have benefitted from this season.
The remaining 2 rounds are in England and Scotland.
