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There was no question, though, that Fiji were the standout team, delivering the sort of rugby that only they can to claim a first series title since 2005-06. Ben Ryan’s side won the first round on the Gold Coast of Australia with victory over Pacific rivals Samoa, before eventual series runners-up South Africa seized the initiative with back-to-back wins in Dubai and then on home soil in Port Elizabeth.As the series moved to Wellington in February 2015, Fiji exited at the quarter-final stage for the second tournament running, New Zealand making home advantage count with a 27-21 victory over Fiji’s conquerors, England, in a hard-fought final.The All Blacks Sevens were unable to kick on from there, although three runners-up finishes to Fiji in the last five tournaments ensured their title defence would continue until the final series stop in London where they had to settle for the Plate and a third place finish overall.In the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Sevens, it was Fiji who 54 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2015With Rio 2016 qualification on offer for the top four teams, the 2014-15 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series had much riding on it and was hugely competitive as a result. reigned supreme. Russia were also in celebratory mood, having edged Zimbabwe 22-19 in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier to win core team status for 2015-16. The second leg of the Asian double-header in Tokyo saw England seriously boost their chances of a top-four finish with a first tournament win under head coach Simon Amor. A 24-17 victory over New Zealand in the penultimate tournament in Glasgow moved Fiji to the top of the series standings. Both teams were joined by South Africa in making safe their place in the top four courtesy of their results in the Scottish city.A record crowd of 116,219 fans turned out over the two days in London, where Fiji’s victory over South Africa in the quarters assured them of the series title. USA earned their first-ever Cup title with a convincing 45-22 victory over Australia underlining their growing status in the game, while, by reaching the semi-finals, England had done enough to pip Australia to fourth place to secure Olympic Games qualification for Team GB.FIJI EMERGE VICTORIOUS AFTER TITANIC BATTLEFOLLOW THE SEVENS@worldrugby7sfacebook.com/worldrugby7sMen’s and women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series social media platforms:REMEMBERING BETH COALTER World Rugby mourned the loss of its much-loved and highly-valued Sevens Operations Manager Beth Coalter in October 2015 after a short illness. Coalter had worked with World Rugby for 10 years and was a major driving force behind rugby sevens’ successful campaign for Olympic inclusion and the growth and ongoing success of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Tributes poured in from around the globe from unions, players and coaches, past and present, showing the esteem in which she was held and the impact she made in the sevens game.WORLD IN UNION | SEVENS REVIEW