The dazzling new-look All Blacks Sevens have built on their dominant record at the Wellington leg of the world series with a 27-21 win over England in the final.
A squad featuring four debutants was expected to struggle to defend their tournament title but New Zealand marched unbeaten through both days to notch their first win of the 2014-15 series.
By claiming the fourth event of the nine-leg series, they climb past Fiji into second place and to within seven points of leaders South Africa, who they beat 17-7 in the semi-finals.
In the process, coach Gordon Tietjens unveiled another handful of highly promising players, led by 17-year-old Aucklander Rieko Ioane.
The New Zealand schoolboys captain scored two tries in the final to give him six in a breakthrough tournament, while fellow newcomers Jack Goodhue, Dylan Collier and Beaudein Waaka also had their moments.
It is New Zealand’s eighth Wellington title and their fourth in the past five years.
England, who were pursuing a third Wellington crown, were flattered by the final scoreline.
They crossed for two late tries to John Brake and captain Tom Mitchell well after the contest had been decided.
Their first-half try went to Marcus Watson but it did little to stem the tide as New Zealand dominated possession through a more-physical game plan and crossed through Collier, Gillies Kaka and Ioane to lead 15-7 at the break.
Scott Curry, standing in as captain for the injured DJ Forbes (foot), crossed soon after the break and Ioane made the outcome safe with his second try five minutes from the end.
New Zealand’s results included a 24-5 win over the English in pool play, followed by Saturday’s 26-7 eclipsing of Australia in the quarter-finals and a tense heavyweight showdown with South Africa.
Again it was Ioane who had the final say, scoring a decisive late try after the scores were locked 7-7 at halftime.
South Africa ensured they didn’t lose too much ground to New Zealand in the standings by thrashing Scotland 40-7 in the playoff for third.
Scotland were desperately unlucky not to reach their first Cup final in 16 years of trying. They fell 24-19 to England in the semi-finals after leading 19-0 late in the first half.
It was the second thrilling win of the day for England, who needed a “golden try” in extra time to Christian Lewis-Pratt to win their quarter-final against Fiji.
Scotland scraped past the United States 19-15 while South Africa were comfortable quarter-final winners over Kenya, 19-5.
Fiji beat Australia 24-0 in the plate final.
LEADING STANDINGS:
* South Africa 76
* New Zealand 69
* Fiji 64
* Australia 58
* England 56
* Argentina 47
* Scotland 42
* United States 36
* Samoa 31
* Wales 30
