England 7s celebrate their Wellington 7s final victory over New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: England to go all-out for Sevens crown

News: Rugby World Cup Sevens schedule launched

News: Tietjens bemoans panic after narrow defeat

News: Springbok skipper may miss World Cup 7s

News: New Zealand scrape into Wellington quarters

Teams: England | New Zealand

New Zealand had glory snatched from them in the final seconds as England won 19-17 in a dramatic finale to the IRB Sevens event in Wellington.

On course to celebrate a fifth title in the popular tournament's 10th year, it was instead England wearing their maiden crown after a gloriously dramatic finish.

With New Zealand leading 17-12 and both sides reduced to six men, England stopped a promising New Zealand attack and surged 60m themselves, creating an overlap for jubilant forward Isoa Damudamu to cross next to the posts. Veteran halfback Ben Gollings calmly slotted the winning conversion and silenced a previously raucous Westpac Stadium as he was mobbed by his teammates - ecstatic at having fought back from a 17-0 deficit after eight minutes.

New Zealand looked on course for victory after leading throughout but England captain Ollie Phillips inspired the fightback and Damu's try at the death pulled the English level, leaving Gollings with a conversion in front of the posts. It was deserved title for the English, who were the best attacking side throughout the two days, scoring the most tries (23) while captain Ollie Phillips was the leading tryscorer with seven.

As a result of the Sevens Plate winners South Africa remain top of the IRB Sevens World Series standings with 48 points ahead of England and New Zealand, who both have 44 points. Argentina and Fiji lie a further 16 points behind on 28.

New Zealand scored first in the final through Paul Grant and there were further tries for the hosts by Zar Lawrence and captain DJ Forbes, but Phillips' try inspired the beginnings of the comeback for England, who played the entire tournament with only 11 men. Robert Vickerman's try brought the score to 17-12 in New Zealand's favour and, with the final hooter already sounded, Damu scampered over under the posts. Gollings made no mistake to make the final score 19-17.

England Coach Ben Ryan said, "It's amazing. The final whistle went and Damu was galloping over the tryline. This is my first tournament win and this is England's first tournament win in New Zealand. We're one tournament away from the World Cup so this is good timing for us.

"We have worked really hard to get to this point. We've had consistency in our players, they're fit and they have a lot of belief. We were well beaten by Argentina yesterday. Today we gathered our thoughts and played three outstanding games of rugby and I'm delighted for them, they deserve it.

"Our job is to develop these players. Playing away from home against a New Zealand side who have huge support is testing but the boys played to their potential. If we can win here then we have a pretty good chance everywhere else we play."

England skipper Ollie Phillips is determined to enjoy their success, but is already looking forward to next week's tournament in the USA. "It doesn't get much better than this," he said. "Beating New Zealand at home is a massive achievement. We worked hard all week and it's great to see it come to fruition. We will celebrate tonight and then our focus will be on winning the San Diego tournament next week."

World Series leaders after the first two events in Dubai and George, South Africa had to make do with the Plate competition after losing to New Zealand in the Cup quarter finals, but finished on a high by beating Wales in the final. The Boks take eight points toward the overall Series race.

Craig Hill and Lee Williams scored for the plucky Welsh in the final but the South Africans were too fit and too slick, scoring four tries through Renfred Dazel, Paul Delport, Vuyo Zangqa and outstanding forward Frankie Horne. Earlier Wales beat Fiji in a tight match 14-12 to reach the final before South Africa saw off the stubborn challenge of the USA.

The Cook Islands produced one of the performances of the day to overwhelm rugby giants Australia 21-10 and then beat Pacific rivals Tonga 24-10 to take the Bowl. Jamal Brogan scored a hat trick of tries in the final and there was also a try for Patella Tou. Alaska Taufa and Ualosi Kailea scored for Tonga. The winner of the Bowl competition also takes two points towards the IRB Sevens World Series.

Niue shocked 2006 Wellington Cup winners Samoa to reach the Shield final at the Westpac but came up against a determined Scotland, who beat them 26-0 to finish their Wellington campaign on a high. Andrew Easson scored two tries for the Scots and there were further scores for Roland Reid and Andrew Turnbull.

Wellington 7s - Day Two Results:

Bowl quarter-finals:
Tonga 21-0 Niue
Samoa 7-24 France
Canada 12-33 Cook Islands
Australia 22-12 Scotland

Cup quarter-finals:
Kenya 10-7 Wales
Fiji 10-31 England
Argentina 24-12 USA
New Zealand 7-0 South Africa

Shield semi-finals:
Niue 21-12 Samoa
Canada 7-14 Scotland

Bowl semi-finals:
Tonga 12-5 France
Cook Islands 28-10 Australia

Plate semi-finals:
Wales 14-12 Fiji
USA 0-22 South Africa

Cup semi-finals:
Kenya 0-26 England
Argentina 7-10 New Zealand

Shield Final:
Niue 0-26 Scotland

Bowl Final:
Tonga 10-24 Cook Islands

Plate Final:
Wales 12-26 South Africa

Cup Final:
England 19-17 New Zealand