New Zealand had already clinched the overall Series title, and were already assured of a Paris 2024 berth along with fellow Tokyo 2020 medallists Argentina and Fiji.

Olympic hosts France are automatically entitled to a qualification place, meaning Samoa and Australia were the most likely contenders to join them through the Sevens Series.

Samoa topped Group C at the iconic Twickenham Stadium ahead of Australia with three wins, including by 24 points to 14 against John Manenti's team, winners of  the Series title last season.

Australia's hopes took a further blow when they were beaten 19-5 by back-to-back Olympic champions Fiji and Samoa beat the hosts Britain 12-5 in the quarter-finals.

Samoa needed to overcome Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Argentina in the semi-finals to qualify for Paris 2024, and led for much of the match thanks to an early Vaa Apelu Maliko try converted by Melani Matavao.

Argentina still trailed 7-5 after failing to add the extras from German Schulz's try, but Santiago Alvarez sent his team into the final 10-7 when he crossed the whitewash, breaking Samoan hearts and handing a lifeline to Australia in the process.

Australia still needed to beat Britain in the seventh-place playoff to take advantage for Paris 2024 purposes and did so 34-5, helped by a hat-trick from Nathan Lawson.

"Today has been one of the biggest rollercoasters ever," Australian captain Nick Malouf said.

"We just got lucky by some miracle, had the chance to play for it there and there’s been so much hard work gone into this time.

"We’ve never qualified automatically so it’s a really big deal and [I’m] just so over the moon."

Samoa found some consolation by taking the bronze medal in London, recovering from 14-0 down to Series winners New Zealand to triumph 24-19.

New Zealand had been beaten 19-17 by Fiji in the semi-finals, having survived a scare against France to triumph by that same scoreline in the quarter-finals.

Thomas Carol was unable to squeeze in a conversion which would have levelled the match for France before full-time.

Argentina delivered an impressive performance in the final in London, coming from behind to beat Fiji 35-14.

Filipe Sauturaga notched two converted tries for Fiji, but Marcos Moneta and Rodrigo Isgro did likewise for Argentina with German Schulz also contributing a five-point haul.

Excellent kicking from Santiago Vera Feld provided four conversions for Argentina, with Moneta adding the extras for his second try.

Canada sealed the 12th and final core status place on next season's trimmed-down Series with a 12-7 playoff final victory over Kenya, who have consequently suffered relegation.

The two teams topped a playoff pool which also included Uruguay and Challenger Series winners Tonga.

Uruguay joined Canada and Kenya on two wins and a defeat, but their inferior goal difference meant they missed out on a playoff final place and were relegated.

Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut at Rio 2016, and matches at Paris 2024 are due to be played at the Stade de France from July 24 to 30 next year.

A further seven men's qualification places are available through six continental events and a Final Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Hosts France are joined by defending champions New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Ireland in being assured of women's rugby sevens berths at next year's Olympics.