The New Zealanders retained their Sevens World Series title, ending the season with a third-place spot at the London Sevens to finish on 167 Series points, six ahead of closest rivals Fiji. They secured a 10th Series title with a ruthless 36-0 quarter final win against South Africa, but fell to a brilliant Fijian performance in the semi final. However, the New Zealanders recovered to end the season on a high note, beating Argentina in the play-off for bronze with a 40-0 triumph."It's an awesome feeling," New Zealand's long-serving coach Gordon Tietjens said."I was worried last night because we played very sketchily against Argentina. I woke up at four o'clock this morning and didn't get back to sleep but we played very well today. We're very happy."

Meanwhile,New Zealand sevens coaching supremo Gordon Tietjens was inducted into the International Rugby Board's Hall of Fame. IRB and Hall of Fame chairman Bernard Lapasset presented the commemorative cap and gold pin to Tietjens at an awards ceremony at Twickenham this morning (NZT), shortly after New Zealand clinched their 10th world series title from 13 attempts. Tietjens' roll of honour is without peer in sevens.

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