Fiji power to top of Sevens World Series with victory in Glasgow as New Zealand seal Rio 2016 berth

Fiji powered to the top of the Sevens World Series rankings by claiming a dramatic victory in Glasgow ©World Rugby

Fiji surged to the summit of the Sevens World Series standings by claiming their maiden Glasgow sevens title with a pulsating 24-17 victory over New Zealand at the Scotstoun Stadium today.

Apisai Domilailai bagged two tries in a superb win for the Fijian side who secured their fourth title of an enthralling season.

Despite the disappointing defeat in the final New Zealand, who currently trail Fiji on the overall leaderboard by eight points, did manage to secure their all-important place at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

But the day belonged to Ben Ryan’s superb Fijian team, who now go into the last event of the season in pole position thanks to a superb performance in the Scottish city.

Lifting the trophy capped off a near perfect weekend after they booked their Rio 2016 berth yesterday, along with South Africa.

“This is the most amount of wins - four - that we've done in one season and we have put ourselves in a great position to win our first World Series in 10 years,” Ryan said.

“We have a fit team and we want to win back-to-backs now.”

Victory over the All-Blacks in a thrilling finale completed a commanding day for Fiji, who earlier thrashed then Series leaders South Africa 15-0 in their quarter-final.

They reached Glasgow’s showpiece contest by virtue of a comfortable 19-5 win over surprise package the United States, in which Semi Kunatani crossed over twice.

New Zealand managed to secure their Rio 2016 qualification spot despite defeat to Fiji in the final ©World Rugby

New Zealand, meanwhile, endured a tough last eight contest with a determined Scottish side clearly buoyed by the home crowd, although they eventually overcome the test with a 17-7 win.

That set up a tense semi-final with England and the All-Blacks managed to squeeze through by claiming a 5-0 success, the lowest-scoring last four match at a Sevens World Series event for 13 years.

Elsewhere, South Africa clung on to second place in the overall standings as they won the Plate competition in dramatic fashion, beating Scotland by a narrow 12-10 margin.

The Scots scored a last-gasp try which gave Russell Weir the chance to send the match into an extra period but his attempted conversion agonisingly struck the post.

The Blitzboks’ success gave them a vital haul of 13 points in their pursuit of the Series crown.

Wales came from 7-0 behind to beat Argentina 12-7 in the Bowl final, while Samoa won the Shield thanks to a 22-12 victory against Portugal.

The Series is set for a fascinating conclusion when the ninth and final leg is due to place at Twickenham Stadium in London next Saturday and Sunday (May 16 and 17).