New Zealand won the clash of the titans as they marched to a 29-17 victory over England in the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday to open a gap over their fierce rivals at the top of the IRB World Series.

A brace of tries by Frank Halai capped a stunning display of power rugby which saw the All Blacks restore pride after losing last year's final and buoy spirits in earthquake-hit New Zealand.

The All Blacks, ten-time winners of the vibrant annual showpiece, are hosting this year's Rugby World Cup but have had to relocate matches after February's devastating quake in rugby-mad Christchurch.

Victory also avenged a painful loss to Samoa in last year's dramatic Hong Kong final.

The pre-tournament favourites drew first blood with a try against the run of play before England levelled through Mat Turner from wide on the right.

New Zealand nudged 12-5 ahead just before the half time hooter when Halai took the ball in the open and powered over between the sticks.

They cemented their lead turning over possession in the loose to unleash Halai on a blistering run down the right wing for his second.

From then on the All Blacks made it look easy, pinning England back on their try line and underlining their superiority through a Tomasi Cama try.

England showed flashes of the side that beat Fiji in Dubai, coming back through Greg Barden, but New Zealand were able to find another gear, replying through the mercurial Tim Mikkelson.

A jinking run down the left by Dan Norton provided a try for England but it proved to be a just a consolation.

Meanwhile, Australia lost the consolation plate competition to South Africa 26-19, despite an impressive double to Hamish Angus.

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