The first two IRB Sevens World Series were memorable for being so competitive, firstly between New Zealand and Fiji and then between New Zealand and Australia.

The 2001/02 Series is memorable for being both the longest and least competitive of all the seasons to date.

With Heidtman, Juries, Schoeman and current coach Paul Treu among their number, South Africa were the side that best challenged Gordon Tietjens' all-star kiwi cast but could do nothing to prevent seven titles going their way throughout the course of the year.

Tietjens still holds firm to the belief that a good start is crucial to winning the series and his side did just that, taking the first two Cups on offer in Durban and Santiago, beating off the challenges of Samoa and Argentina.

Fiji hit back to claim the third title in Mar del Plata, beating South Africa in the final, before Australia won their only title of the season on home soil in Brisbane.

South Africa kept alive their challenge by taking the spoils in Wellington but the kiwis hit back in Beijing to re-establish a firm lead.

England won their only Cup success of the year in Hong Kong to boost their table position - they finished the season a best ever third place - before the kiwis powered home as they had done the previous season, winning all four final events in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London and Cardiff to finish on 198 points for the series, 62 clear of the Boks in second.Tietjens also led the kiwis to their second Commonwealth Sevens gold in Manchester, England.