Ahead of the Europe-based climax of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series in London and Edinburgh, we draw a line between the two contenders for the title - current leaders Samoa and New Zealand.

Three points ahead with two events to play in this year's IRB Sevens World Series, Samoa's players and coach currently stand 12 games and 12 wins away from immortality.

When Dicky Tafua's side won the country's first IRB Sevens Cup title three years ago the coach was heaped with praise and has since rightly been given the job of Manu Samoa head coach. Never before has the country led the World Series, so what rewards might be in store should Stephen Betham's class of 2010 maintain their upper hand against New Zealand and strike gold?

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"It's all credit to the boys, the hardest job was to keep their feet on the ground when we got back home," said Betham. "They got a hero's welcome so that was the hardest job - keeping their minds on exactly where we are and the hard work that still needs to be done.

"I think it's been a combination of a family culture and rugby culture all put together and the team has reacted to eachother.

"We've tried to make this a family team, if there are problems they speak to one another and then relay it back and then we can look at solutions. They've become really close."

In addition to the collective spirit, the Samoans have doubtless enjoyed the return of half back duo Uale Mai and Lolo Lui. Gifted a superb platform from which to weave their magic by an outstanding forward pack, they have proved the difference time and again.

"They are crucial, the real leaders. They're the ones who when they speak people listen and they help the others find their place in the team," added Betham, who also attributes much of the team's success to speedster Mikaele Pesamino, who has also enjoyed his best ever season within the team's fond confines.

"We've tried to keep him as fresh as possible, worked a lot on his speed and I think his confidence, which was maybe lacking before. We just hope that he can finish the last two legs strong."

Crucially, Samoa also hold a spooky voodoo sign over New Zealand this term. Only five times all season have the kiwis lost, on each occasion to the Samoans.

"I don't think there's a secret to it, I think it's a bit of luck and some calls that have gone our way. We set out to play each game to win and we try our best but it's a combination of luck and hard work. Maybe it will shift to New Zealand this weekend?

"To the people back home though it means a lot. Before we left we had a lot of people, elders, come in and give us good luck wishes, talks, and I think the boys started to feel the pressure before leaving. They know that when they take the field it won't be just 12 players but 180,000 people and that's the sort of emotion they'll be taking on with them this weekend."

Key contests

Captains - DJ Forbes (NZ) v Lolo Lui (SAM)

Two inspirational figures, men who command the ultimate respect of their teammates. For four years now Forbes has led Tietjens' New Zealand team and it is no small compliment that the coach speaks of him in the same inspirational tones as he does the likes of Karl Tenana, Eric Rush and more recently Liam Messam. Lui's role, while more understated, is in some ways even more significant as he has had to take over from the likes of Uale Mai and Ofisa Treviranus. He has also been the lieutenant on the pitch for a new head coach this year in Stephen Betham. Calm and assured, he went to the 2007 Rugby World Cup with Samoa and is a cool head.

Forward power - Forbes, Raikabula, King (NZ) v Treviranus, Fa'osiliva, Mikaele (SAM)

Three years ago New Zealand's forward trio of Forbes, Edwin Coker and Steven Yates was peerless in its command of the game and this season the same can be said of Samoa's triumvirate. Fa'osiliva's rampaging running, Treviranus' ball-winning and Mikaele's aerial prowess have dove-tailed beautifully to give Stephen Betham and his playmakers a priceless platform on which to build a potent attack. Afa Aiono's recent form is also a welcome addition, ensuring that all three are kept honest. Seldom will NZ captain Forbes in particular have felt so well matched on a Sevens field than by his Samoan counterparts and while the versatile Lote Raikabula returns alongside him in London to bring his priceless all-round game, Solomon King's inclusion is his first this season and while Tietjens will welcome his return he may lack Sevens fitness.

Half backs - Tomasi Cama (NZ) v Uale Mai (SAM)

Two players of immense experience and tactical acumen. Cama has Sevens Rugby in his blood, the son of the Fijian great of the same name, and plays as if by instinct alone. Feisty and aggressive, he is one of the players at the core of Gordon Tietjens' masterplan for New Zealand. Mai's control of the game, though, is unparallelled and Samoa are simply a different team when he lines up for them. His relationship with Lolo Lui outside him verges on the telepathic and if New Zealand and other sides are to stop Samoa then they must begin by cutting off the supply line to these two playmakers. Otherwise with his long passes and linking of play Mai could once again lead their merry dance.

Speed merchants - Sherwin Stowers & Kurt Baker (NZ) v Mikaele Pesamino (SAM)

Pesamino's form and prowess this season is such that the rest of the teams almost need two pace men to handle him. Stowers was outstanding in the first part of the season and his welcome pace instrumental in NZ's two wins in Dubai and George, and since then the tenacious Baker and Zar Lawrence have proved that they also have an impressive eye for the try line, but Pesamino is this season's greyhound par excellence, no questions asked. Rangy and with a wiry strength, the Samoan number 10 brings to mind England's former prince of pace Andrew Harriman with the way that he can run and run and run. 48 tries so far this season - 19 more than the second best - and likely to add another hatful at Twickenham and Murrayfield.