Rugby: NZ lose London final in extra-time

England's Micky Young scores during the final of the London Sevens against New Zealand at Twickenham. Photo / Getty Images

England won a superb final in sudden-death extra time against New Zealand 31-26 to claim the London Sevens rugby tournament at Twickenham.

The win is England's first on home soil for five years and means that South Africa will have to wait another week before celebrating winning the world series.

South Africa lead England by 20 points in the race for the overall title after today's result.

New Zealand were quickly into their stride in the final and scored three unanswered tries with Julian Savea touching down twice and Kurt Baker adding the other, leaving England with it all to do.

England needed to score first after the break and did so through powerful wing Uche Oduoza. Ben Gollings converted to make the score 19-7 and Mickey Young's score brought it to 19-12.

England capitalised on a period of sustained pressure to pull level, James Rodwell breaking through the defence to score under the posts, but Zar Lawrence capped a superb personal performance to pull New Zealand ahead again, 26-19.

With the seconds counting down New Zealand seemed to have the final under control but replacement England wing Dan Norton streaked down the line and under the posts.

Gollings converted to pull England level, take his own all-time sevens tally to 2000 points and the match into sudden-death extra time.

With the 36,000 strong crowd on the edge of its seat, England pressed deep into New Zealand territory and when the forwards won a scrum against the head, halfback Mickey Young sprinted to the corner to clinch victory.

New Zealand, the defending series champions, have a final chance to nail their first tournament win of the current series in Scotland next weekend,

South Africa now have 116 points in the series, ahead of England, 96, Fiji, 82, New Zealand, 80, Argentina, 68 and Kenya, 60.

Earlier, New Zealand beat South Africa 10-5 in the Cup semis to postpone any world series celebrations for the Boks.

Solomon King and Kurt Baker scored New Zealand's tries to Gio Aplon's effort.

England overcame Scotland 26-12 to reach the final.

In the Plate competition, Fiji beat France and then blitzed Portugal with a superb first half performance to notch a 24-10 win.

- NZPA