New Zealand win 2010/2011 IRB Sevens World Series

New Zealand has claimed the 2010/2011 HSBC Sevens World Series overall title with a leg still to play, with a powerful 31-14 win over Argentina confirming that Samoa has handed over their title to Gordon Tietjens and his men.

Pass It On Tweet 12

The New Zealand victory combined with England's shocking form on home soil, eliminated in pool play before suffering a 19-17 loss to Kenya in the Bowl quarter-final.

Victory in the overall series will be soured by Fiji's dominant win over New Zealand 42-17 in the Cup semi-final, with only two late tries to the new champions giving the scoreline some respectibility by a determined Pacific Island team.

The title was New Zealand's first in three years, but ninth overall in the 12 year history of the tournament.

Tietjens, New Zealand's master Sevens coach, was happy to have captured the crown despite the threat of second placed England on home soil.

"Really happy to win the World Series like we have, with a tournament to go, and a couple of games to go," he said.

There was never any expectation to claim the title in England.

"Certainly not, but in saying that, you can never take any team easy, there are never any easy teams in the competition anymore."

"You've got to treat every game like a final."

As for capturing yet another Sevens' title, Tietjens was typically modest.

"Haven't really thought about nine World Series, because when you win one world title, it is a great feeling."