The All Blacks Sevens have given up on their hopes of winning the overall world series crown.

They've finished fifth at the latest event in Vancouver, beating Argentina in their classification playoff to remain fourth overall.

England won the tournament but still trail leaders South Africa in the standings.

Interim coach Scott Waldrom said it feels weird being disappointed with a five out of six win record.

"Unfortunately, losing to them by such a slim margin and then having to watch them go on through to the finals was pretty upsetting really."

Waldrom told D'Arcy Waldegrave South Africa have to finish last in the last four tournaments for New Zealand to catch them.

"They're going up the ladder last week and then this week unfortunately, those teams that we wanted to catch, they all got past us."

On the bright side for Waldrom, Sam Dickson, Lewis Ormond, Teddy Stanaway, and Joe Webber will be back from injury for Hong Kong next month along with Chiefs wing Joe Ravouvou.

"That's a lot of experienced guys there and then Joe Ravouvou, who's new into the squad, was part of the Chiefs wider training squad."