Rugby sevens: Kiwis reclaim world crown

Toby Arnold slips through the tackle of Spain's Juano Cano IRB London Sevens at Twickenham. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand have reclaimed the International Rugby Board's (IRB) world sevens series crown with a day to spare.

Coach Gordon Tietjens' team were the major beneficiaries of England's poor form in the final round of the series in London overnight (NZT).

The English won just one of their three pool matches and failed to reach the quarterfinals where New Zealand are scheduled to meet Argentina.

The New Zealanders performed strongly in their pool, rattling off three successive victories as they saw off Spain 40-7, Kenya 28-12 and Wales 31-12.

Meanwhile, title contenders England saw their hopes dashed as they were fortunate to beat the United States 31-21 after Ben Gollings appeared to drop the ball in the act of scoring a try and lost 14-21 to France after conceding a late try to Mathieu Acebes.

England had to beat Argentina to secure a quarterfinal spot but were instead held to a 12-12 draw.

The other quarterfinals see France playing Wales, Fiji up against fellow Pacific islanders Samoa and Australia facing South Africa.

- NZPA