Rugby

The draw for the HSBC Wellington Sevens was made before the Cup final at the second round of the series in Cape Town, with winners South Africa heading Pool A at the Westpac Stadium after a 29-14 over Los Pumas in their home tournament.

Neil Powell's side will come face to face with New Zealand, Scotland and Russia, while the runners-up Argentina compete against series leaders Fiji, Wales and the only non-core side in Wellington Japan.

Retired New Zealand great Carter admitted he was nervous yet ran the game smoothly at five-eighth in his first appearance since a starring role in the All Blacks recent World Cup title defence.

Nonu, who's now playing in France, played in 103 tests for the All Blacks, was part of New Zealand's successful title defence at the Rugby World Cup in England last month.

The second-five scored five tries for the Hurricanes on their way to the Super Rugby final where they fell just short against the Highlanders.

The process involves blood being sucked out of the body.

The former NRL premiership-winner, who converted to Islam in 2008, revealed his use of hijama cupping therapy, an age-old Muslim procedure in which small glass cups vacuum blood from small incisions.

In the picture, Williams is hunched over a chair with six blood-spattered bell-shaped cups attached to his back. Two longer shaped cups protrude from his neck.

"Detox time", the Rugby World Cup winner titled the post, followed by an emoticon of two hands raised in celebration and another representing clear skin.

During the World Cup players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga voted for the 'Players' Player of the Year' from their respective nations as well as the overall award.

Nakarawa also picked up the Fijian Players Player of the Year Award, with winger Telusa Veainu chosen as the Tongan Player of the year and midfielder Paul Perez named the Samoan Player of the Year.

The Samoa-born hulking centre was discarded from England's World Cup disaster when coach Stuart Lancaster's hard-line disciplinary attitude in the leadup to the tournament saw Tuilagi dropped after he was convicted of assaulting two female police officers and damaging a taxi.

Now the recent hike in the salary cap by $2.13m is set to earn the 24-year-old Samoan a fortune as a bidding war for his services escalates.

Last month Saracens offered Tuilagi a $920,000 deal.

The global qualification process continues with regional tournaments in Asia, Africa and Oceania taking place over the next few months with the final confirmed teams expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Ticket sales are also progressing well ahead of what promises to be a spectacular festival of rugby.

The interest in rugby at Rio 2016 has been strong both from Brazilians and international sports fans. Packed stadiums are expected for the rugby competition, which will take place at Deodoro Olympic Park on the opening weekend of the Games.