New Zealand won the Edinburgh sevens and regained the International Rugby Board's world series title from Fiji on a pulsating day of action at Murrayfield today.
New Zealand started the final tournament of the series 10 points adrift of the Fijians but Wales did them a huge favour
by knocking the islanders out of the Cup at the quarterfinal stage.
That left New Zealand needing Cup success to win a seventh series crown.
By beating Samoa 34-5 in the final match they finished two points head of the Fijians in the series race.
With Samoan captain Uale Mai suspended for elbowing an opponent in the semifinal win over Argentina, New Zealand immediately seized the initiative when Adam Thompson opened the scoring early on.
Samoa hit back through Fautua Otto but a further Thompson try and a brace from outstanding captain DJ Forbes either side of halftime gave the New Zealanders a 24-5 lead that their tight defence never looked likely to relinquish.
Further tries from playmaker Tomasi Cama and Afeleke Pelenise were the icing on the cake for coach Gordon Tietjens, who has been at the helm to oversee all seven of his country's world titles.
Fiji gained a consolation victory in the shield competition by beating Kenya 31-7 to take eight points for the series.
New Zealand, with their third win in eight tournaments, ended with 130 points, and two-time winners Fiji 128 and Samoa 122.
It was Samoa's highest finish. South Africa, who won the series opener in Dubai, were fourth with 92.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said the latest series success was particularly special.
"It's such a surprise; no one really gave us a chance," he told BBC Sport.
"We were trailing in fourth for a long time, but we kept going right to the end. I know the guys are really proud and they deserve to be -- they were magnificent."
- NZPA
