17 May 2015

NZ Men's Sevens title chances over

9:12 am on 17 May 2015

The New Zealand men's sevens team will play hosts England in tomorrow morning's Cup quarter-finals at the final leg of their World Series in London.

New Zealand's Scott Curry in action in London.

New Zealand's Scott Curry in action in London. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The defending World Series champions beat Wales, Japan and Australia to finish pool play unbeaten.

New Zealand, who're third in the overall standings, are now out of contention to retain their overall title, even if they win the tournament.

Overall leaders Fiji will meet second-placed South Africa in an enthralling Cup quarter final, with the winner of the match to be crowned the World Series champions, regardless of who wins the London title.

With Ben Ryan's side winning all three of their pool matches, achieving a 100% record from their 27 pool matches this season, and South Africa's defeat to the USA in front of a record crowd at Twickenham means the top two sides will battle it out on day two in the first quarter final.

A win for Fiji will guarantee them a second World Series title in 16 years and first since 2006.

"It will give us an outcome," said head coach Ryan.

"I'm pleased we've done the whole season unbeaten in the pool stages, that's a big achievement. We win tomorrow morning, we win the world title - simple as that. It's good to be in control of our own destiny. We are in a Cup final tomorrow, anything after that is irrelevant really."

Third-placed New Zealand, Scotland and USA also maintained 100% records alongside Fiji to set up matches with hosts England, Australia and Canada respectively on day two.

England's safe passage through to the last eight ensured they will finish fourth in the series and guaranteed their qualification to the Olympic Games next year alongside hosts Brazil, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.

Last week's Glasgow champions Fiji had to come from 12-0 and 19-12 behind to record a narrow 24-19 victory over Argentina thanks to two tries each from Samisoni Viriviri and Savenaca Rawaca in their opening match before a Semi Kunatani hat-trick secured a 26-12 win over Samoa.

In their pool decider with Canada Amenoni Nasilasila also scored a ht-trick in a 31-14 win.

For South Africa Stephan Dippenaar's double helped the Blitzboks to a 19-0 win against Portugal in the opening match of the Marriott London Sevens before the season's leading try scorer Seabelo Senatla scored twice to beat France 28-7.

Their run was ended as USA maintained their 100% record adding a 21-12 victory over the Blitzboks thanks to tries from Garrett Bender, Perry Baker and Carlin Isles to earlier 28-12 and 24-19 wins over Portugal and Les Bleus.

New Zealand's Rieko Ioane scored twice in New Zealand's 38-0 victory over Wales before they avoided a scare from Japan, winning 26-14 despite trailing 7-0 and 14-12.

Japan, who failed to make the Cup quarter finals in London, will be relegated from the series and replaced by Russia for the 2015/16 Series.

In New Zealand's third and final match Scott Curry scored twice in their 24-10 win over Australia.

Hosts England celebrated qualification to Rio with a 56-7 victory against Brazil with two tries from Dan Norton, who was appearing in his 50th World Series event on home soil.

Earlier Marcus Watson scored twice in their 40-0 win over Kenya, before losing 22-19 to Scotland thanks to a Damian Hoyland hat-trick.

Colin Gregor earlier became the all-time leading capped player for Scotland in rugby sevens.