All Blacks 7s take the honours in Australia

New Zealand beat USA 21-5 to win the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney and move top of the overall standings after four events.

The All Blacks Sevens were ruthless throughout the final, striking first and refusing to let go. Vilimoni Koroi played an effortlessly magical offload to Regan Ware on the left wing and his side took the lead.

After his side displayed some resolute defending, Sam Dickson doubled the lead on the stroke of half time, New Zealand capitalising on a collision between the USA’s Folau Niua and Danny Barrett.

Tone Ng Shiu put the result out of reach with a stunning dummy, selling Barrett to run clear. Brett Thompson gave his USA side hope with a score of his own, but it was too little, too late, and New Zealand claimed the trophy.

The USA have now lost all four finals this season but are level on points with New Zealand at the top of the overall standings. This is New Zealand’s second win of the season after their triumph in Dubai in November.

England finished third for the first time this season after beating Fiji 19-17, with Apenisa Cakaubalavu scoring a hat-trick in vain. Fiji trailed 19-0 when Cakaubalavu’s quickfire double made for a nervy finish, but his third score came after the full-time hooter.

South Africa beat Australia 12-10 in a brutal rematch of the Pool D match to finish fifth in Sydney. It was an aggressive game throughout, with plenty of full-blooded tackles, but it was won in the final seconds by Kyle Brown, dotting down in the corner.

Argentina made up for their disappointment at missing out on the Cup quarter-finals by beating Japan 10-7 in the Challenge Trophy final.

Luciano Gonzalez opened the scoring before Katsuyuki Sakai’s converted try gave Japan the lead. Santiago Alvarez’s yellow card did little to open up Argentina, with him returning after the break and the Pumas hitting next to win the game. Fernando Luna dotted down in the corner to complete the victory.