Simon Amor’s side battled hard against Fiji in the bronze final to bring it back to within two points from a 14-5 half time deficit but two tries in the last three minutes saw last year’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series’ winners clinch third place.

After topping their pool, England started strongly against Argentina on day two and have now overtaken the Cape Town finalists in the series standings (moving from fifth to fourth) as they head into the next leg in Sydney.

Amor said: “The boys gave it their all this weekend.  They didn’t quite get it right in attack in those final two games but we have a young team out here and it has been an amazing experience for them playing against two incredibly physical sides, I’m proud of them.

“We had very clear tactics when playing against Argentina in the quarters and they are a difficult side to face. The way the boys executed that game plan was excellent.  They also played great rugby on day one, particularly against the USA.”

Against Argentina, Tom Mitchell opened the score by gathering a tap back, within the dead ball area, from Dan Bibby who had limited space and was under pressure from the oncoming defence.

Argentina drew level before Richard De Carpentier set up two breakaway tries, first for Bibby and then Alex Davis.  Individual brilliance sent Davis over for his second and Mitchell rounded off an impressive and composed performance with England’s fifth try of the game.

Last season the host side was always victorious when England and New Zealand met – New Zealand claimed the Wellington title after beating England 27-21 in the final while in London, Amor’s side progressed into semi-final by beating the visitors 21-17.

The pattern continued today and, with quick and effective work at the breakdown and powerful running to break through tackles, New Zealand showed their full potential against England.  Despite periods of English attack, New Zealand’s dominance gave them a 20-0 lead.

Jack Wilson crossed in the corner to score his first series’ try for England but with a minute still left to play the hosts struck again setting up a final against South Africa and leaving England to play for third but still making it six years of finishing in the top four in Wellington.

England will once again play the USA next weekend in Sydney, the fourth round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.  They have been drawn in pool D which also includes Wales and Japan.

England’s result from the weekend:

QF: England 33-7 Argentina
Tries: Mitchell (2), Bibby, Davis (2)
Conversions: Mitchell (3), Bibby (1)

SF: England 5- 25 New Zealand
Try: Wilson

Bronze final: England 12-24 Fiji
Tries: Davis, Mitchell
Conversion: Mitchell

Pool C results:

England 17-14 France
Tries: Mitchell, Bowen, Bibby
Conversions: Mitchell

England 19-5 USA
Tries: Davis, Mitchell, McConnochie
Conversions: Mitchell (2)

England 14-17 Samoa
Tries: Bowen, Bibby
Conversions: Cowell (2)