New Zealand have won the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens and regained the IRB Sevens World Series title from Fiji on a pulsating day of action at Murrayfield.

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 quarter final stage, leaving kiwis needing Cup success to win a seventh series crown.

By beating Samoa 34-5 in the final match they finish two points ahead of the Fijians in the series race at the end of two wonderful days enjoyed by close to 30,000 fans at the home of Sevens.

With Samoa captain Uale Mai suspended for elbowing an opponent in the semi final win over Argentina, New Zealand immediately siezed the initiative in the final and 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 half time gave the kiwis a 24-5 lead that their lock-tight defence never looked likely to relinquish.

Further tries from playmaker Tomasi Cama and flyer Afeleke Pelenise were the icing on the cake for coach Gordon Tietjens, who claims his seventh IRB Sevens World Series crown.

Fiji gained a consolation victory in the Plate, beating Kenya 31-7 to take eight points for the series.

Tries by Saravanua, Vucago, Naqelevuki, Cakau and the tireless Mosese Volavola fired the islanders to a 31-0 lead before the African side hit back with a late consolation try from Naftali Ogolla.

The damage, though, was done in the Cup quarter final. From the very start of a fine game Wales matched Fiji blow for blow, keeping the ball alive, breaking through strike runners and defending like lions. After a nervy start, Rhodri McAtee's try put the Welsh ahead and they bossed much of a first half that finished 7-7 after Waisale Serevi powered over from close range.

Wales then started the second period with more obvious intent. While William Ryder was crowded out and Serevi for once failed to make an impact, Tal Selley and Jonny Vaughton burst through gaps, Selley scoring first before Wayne Evans stretched the lead to 21-7. Mesake Davu finished off a flowing Fijian move to make it competitive at 21-14 as Fiji drove forward through Volavola and Naevo, but Naevo's last-ditch try was ruled out by referee Wayne Barnes after he clearly lost the ball forward.

England won a second successive Bowl at Murrayfield, debutant Noah Cato crossing for two late tries to make the score a rather flattering 31-0 against brave Portugal.

Danny Care was again at the heart of most of England's best endeavour as Ben Ryan's young side finished the year with two more series points, taking their tally to 52. England's other tries in the final were scored by Tom Williams (2) and Michael Hills.

Rob Thirlby earlier scored his 100th and 101st tries for England in IRB Sevens rugby as they eased past Canada and Australia into the final.

France brushed aside the disappointment of three losses on day one, and the loss of Charles Platek to a broken leg, to win the Edinburgh Shield.

Russia were always in the final through the bullocking runs of outstanding wing Vladimir Ostroushko but tries by Nicolas Breuil, Nicolas Carmona and captain Patrick Bosque secured a 21-12 victory.

Cup winners so far this season:
Dubai, UAE - South Africa
George, RSA - New Zealand
Wellington, NZ - Samoa
San Diego, USA - Fiji
Hong Kong - Samoa
Adelaide - Fiji
London - New Zealand
Edinburgh - New Zealand