New Zealand awarded World Sevens Series title after coronavirus brings season to early end

The final legs, in London, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong, have been cancelled due to the pandemic

New Zealand, in black, have been awarded the World Sevens Series title, with South Africa, in green, finishing runner-up. Chris Whiteoak / The National

New Zealand have been awarded the World Sevens Series title after World Rugby confirmed a premature end to the season with four tournaments still to play.

The final legs, in London, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong, have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The All Blacks Sevens, who were runners up when the season opened in Dubai back in December, topped the table after the six tournaments so far, and so were declared champions.

South Africa, who beat New Zealand to the Dubai title, were runners up, with Fiji in third.

The Black Ferns Sevens side completed a title double for New Zealand, as they were confirmed as the women's series champions for the sixth time in eight seasons.

“While it is very disappointing for players, fans, organisers and everyone involved to have to cancel these events due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the health and wellbeing of the rugby community and wider society remains the number one priority,” Bill Beaumont, World Rugby’s chairman, said.