The remainder of the rugby sevens world series was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic and New Zealand declared the men’s and women’s champions on Tuesday.
The rounds in Hong Kong, Singapore, Langford (Canada), London and Paris were previously postponed, but World Rugby cancelled them after discussions with the host unions. Hong Kong, the crown jewel in sevens, won’t be staged for the first time in 44 years.
New Zealand was awarded the titles for leading the standings when the series stopped after six of the 10 men’s rounds, and four of the five women’s rounds.
The New Zealand men won three legs and reached the podium in two more. They won a record-extending 13th series but the first since 2014.
South Africa and Fiji, which dominated the series in recent years, were second and third.
The seedings for the Tokyo Olympics will be adapted to include 2021 series results, World Rugby said.
There will be no relegation in either series but Japan will be promoted as the winner of the men’s second-tier series
