GLASGOW, Scotland - New Zealand captain DJ Forbes admits the HSBC Sevens World Series title is now New Zealand's to lose after the 29-14 victory over England increased their advantage over Fiji to 11 points going into the last round at Twickenham next weekend.
The inspirational New Zealand captain marked his 50th IRB Sevens tournament with a series of impressive displays, scoring a brace in the final to take his career tally to 98.
Forbes is now within sight of becoming his country's sixth try centurion.
"We have been in situations where we have come in and had to leave a few things to fate, but this time it is only ours to lose really isn't it," admitted Forbes.
As if winning a third Cup title of the season wasn't motivation enough, the prospect of winning it for their captain was another factor for the players, even if Forbes is quick to divert the attention away from himself.
"There were a few of the boys saying we will do this for your 50th. Ultimately it was all about the 12 players, we all wanted to win, regardless of my 50th or not," said Forbes, who scored five tries at the Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens.
"I think ultimately everyone knows we are here to win the World Series, not for my 50th. You could say maybe one hand on the World Series trophy at the moment, but we have still got to do a job next week
His coach Gordon Tietjens, who has overseen all of New Zealand's nine titles to date, was quick to pay tribute to his captain and players after their five-try defeat of England.
"The beauty about today (yesterday) was winning it for DJ Forbes for his 50th tournament. What a magnificent captain, he just leads, is so inspirational and played outstandingly well as well," said Tietjens.
"It's great for the team, they are a real family these guys, a pleasure to be with them and great to see them win this tournament.
"It was a tough tournament and we found it really tough in the final as well, particularly losing two key players so early in the piece. It was great for those other players to get in and play really well against a good England team. I thought England played very well today.
"They have been challenging conditions but it is awesome to win here, it gives us a better chance to hopefully retain or win our title back. For us it is important to get more points going into the last tournament.
"It is not there yet though, we have still got a bit of work to do ... if we don't play well, some of the guys are really injured and beaten up a bit, so we are going to have to get back up tomorrow and go to London and prepare for next week. It is going to be tough."
New Zealand need only to reach the Plate final to secure that 10th Series title and, worryingly for their rivals, if their captain's 50th tournament was extra incentive in Glasgow, Twickenham will mark vice captain Lote Raikabula's 50-cap milestone.