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the course of the season it was Fiji’s merry band who proved themselves the world’s finest team, retaining their series title. Fiji served early notice of their credentials, beating England in the Dubai final to cap a gilt-edged weekend and, while they would wait until round five in Las Vegas for their next Cup success, their consistency tethered them to the top of the standings. The main challenge came from South Africa, who landed the second Cup of the season amid emotional scenes at a sold-out Cape Town, and New Zealand, who stormed back in the new year with two dramatic late victories, first on home soil in Wellington and then a week later, denying hosts Australia in the dying seconds of another giant success story in Sydney.If Fiji had been found wanting in three Cup knock-out ties since Dubai, there was no stopping them in Las Vegas, days after Cyclone Winston had struck the islands. Trailing Australia 15-0 at half-time, their physical and emotional response was devastating and a 21-15 win ensured they defended their USA title, strengthened their mid-season position and put a smile on a million faces back home.Such was their investment in Las Vegas, it was little surprise that Fiji failed to hit the high notes a week later in Vancouver, the All Blacks Sevens instead beating South Africa to the inaugural HSBC Canada Sevens title under BC Place’s retractable roof. As ever, though, Fijian batteries were fully recharged for Hong Kong. While Japan won the series qualifier at So Kon Po to book their place as a core team for 2016-17, the Fijians were inspired in their spiritual home, beating New Zealand to the spoils for the second year running. The final three events of the season brought two new venues and three massive surprises, first in Singapore and then Paris before the finale in London. The smart money was on Fiji but three times they were denied. First in Singapore, Kenya shocked the world by winning their first ever Cup title and then Samoa found a new level to capture the Paris title as the Stade Jean Bouin rose to sevens.The most dramatic finish, though, was saved for last. At the end of a remarkable season Scotland shocked everyone at Twickenham, scoring twice in the final minute to capture their first ever Cup, edging South Africa. So it was the founders of the game who lifted the 10th Cup of the season but there was no question that Fiji deserved the season’s most prized silverware, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series trophy.FOLLOW THE SEVENS @WorldRugby7sworldrugby.org/sevens-series2015-16 FINAL STANDINGS1. Fiji - 1812. South Africa - 1713. New Zealand - 1584. Australia - 1345. Argentina - 1196. USA - 1177. Kenya - 988. England - 929. Samoa - 89 10. Scotland - 8711. France - 8512. Wales - 5413. Canada - 4014. Russia - 2815. Japan - 2116. Portugal - 2117. Brazil - 318. Zimbabwe - 119. Korea - 12016-17 SERIESDubai (2-3 December, 2016)Gold medallists: South AfricaSilver: FijiBronze: EnglandCape Town (10-11 December, 2016)Gold medallists: EnglandSilver: South AfricaBronze: New ZealandWellington (28-29 January, 2017)Sydney (4-5 February) Las Vegas (3-5 March)Vancouver (11-12 March)Hong Kong (7-9 April)Singapore (15-16 April)Paris (13-14 May)London (20-21 May)SEVENS REVIEW | INSPIREYEAR IN REVIEW 2016 WORLD RUGBY 27