Rugby

Hong Kong is in Fiji to prepare to participate at the weekend's Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka as one of two fully fledged international sides, the other being Germany.

Their former coach Gareth Baber, who has only recently arrived in the country himself to take the reins of the champion Fijians, was able to organise the session that will feature his extended squad that is preparing for the upcoming Wellington and Sydney legs of the World Sevens Series.

Interim-Hong Kong coach Jevon Groves said they will benefit from playing against one of the best teams in the world.

New Zealand Rugby and the Players Association have agreed a new three-year deal, which will see the total pool for player payments rise from $121 million to $176 million.

The money will be spread out from All Black level, all the way down to provincial and development level as well as sevens.

The maximum Super Rugby retainers will increase $5000 to $195,000, while the minimum retainers will also increase $5000 to $75,000.

Provincial Rugby's maximum retainer will remain $55,000 while the minimum retainer has increased significantly, up $18,000 to $21,000.

The All Blacks Sevens have improved to fifth in the overall standings after their third place finish in the second round in Cape Town.

The New Zealanders beat Kenya 28-7 in the quarter-finals, but lost 14-7 to South Africa in the semi-finals.

They then beat Scotland 24-19 in the play-off for third.

It’s an improved performance by the New Zealanders after they finished 8th in the opening leg in Dubai.

England beat South Africa 19-17 in the final.

Waldrom is happy with the improvement his side showed from the first round.

The Manu failed to make the cup quarter finals in the opening leg of the new World Series campaign, losing to England and New Zealand in pool play and then the United States in the playoff for ninth place.

Interim head coach Stephen Betham said the players showed in glimpses what they are capable off but struggled with consistency and combinations and general fitness.

But he said that won't change their approach this weekend.

New Zealand-based Vui, who can play at lock forward or in the back row, earned his first cap for Samoa against France last month.

"Chris is a big, powerful and adaptable forward," said head coach Carl Hogg.

"He will certainly add some strength to our pack and, at just 23, he is an experienced leader."

Vui captained New Zealand side North Harbour to the Mitre 10 Championship title in October, having played for Auckland Blues in the 2015 Super Rugby campaign.

He previously represented New Zealand Under-20s in the 2013 World Rugby Championship.

The All Black sevens were crushed 40-nil by South Africa in this morning's Cup quarter-finals before being beaten by Australia 20-12 in the fifth place playoff.

New Zealand finished equal seventh/eighth alongside France and sit in the same place in the standings with 10 points.

South Africa claimed top prize after they beat last season's series champions and Olympic gold medallists, Fiji, 26-14 in the final.

Since Fiji won Olympic gold in August, champion coach Ben Ryan and a handful of players have departed the team.

Welshman Gareth Baber has been appointed head coach through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but doesn't take the reins until January.

Despite a number of changes to the Fiji set-up only two new caps have been selected for the opening legs in Dubai and Cape Town.

Interim coach Naca Cawanibuka said expectations remain the same.

Nine awards were presented in a ceremony in Parliament by the Prime Minister John Key to recognise excellence in commerce, the arts, sports, community and leadership.

The recipient of the Sports and Fitness award, 17-year-old Ayesha Leti-I'iga is a New Zealand born Samoan and has played rugby for several New Zealand national teams.

She credits her success to her family and performs a special ritual before each game to honour her mother who died seven years ago.

The barnstorming Parramatta winger, who yesterday found himself the subject of an arrest warrant after his non-appearance in court on domestic violence charges, will make the switch from league to union for the 2017 season

Toulon announced the signing on its website on Monday night, saying Radradra has signed a one-year contract with the option of a second year, making him the club's fifth rookie for next season.

Reports from France suggested Radradra had inked a deal days ago.

The 24 year-old is actually signed on with the Eels until the end of 2017.

Cowley, 23, finished this year's Mitre 10 Cup as Waikato's leading No 9 and started their last two matches, which were victories over Hawke's Bay (46-22) and Wellington (28-24).

Stuff reports Cardiff announced the capture of Cowley and former Wales first five-eighth Nicky Robinson on Monday (Tuesday NZ time) - the latter coming out of retirement after hanging up his boots last year.

Cowley will again team up with former Hurricanes and Waikato midfielder Willis Halaholo, who signed a three-year contract with Cardiff earlier this year.