Rugby

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.

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.

Centre Portia Woodman scored a hat-trick of tries as the Black Ferns eased past Ireland 38-8 in their rugby international in Dublin to complete their season unbeaten.

Fullback Selica Winiata also scored two tries and first five-eighth Kelly Brazier one in the Black Ferns' comfortable six-try win to make it three wins from three on their northern tour.

Prior to the tour-ending Dublin international, the Black Ferns had also beaten world champions England 25-20 in London and Canada 20-10 in Dublin.

Modern professional matches are routinely punctuated for rulings by the TMO on everything from the scoring of tries to foul play, offside in the build-up to a try and off the ball incidents.

Owens said he accepts the reasoning but felt the option was being over-used.

"I can understand that people at games want to see the same thing people do at home, or in the hospitality boxes, but replays can make a huge difference -- in players reacting on the field, supporters reacting," he said.

With Tusi Pisi out injured, Faapale is flyhalf alongside Kahn Fotuali'i as the Samoans look to upset les Bleus.

David Lemi will again lead the side.

Lemi joins Paul Perez and Paul Williams in the back-three with the experienced Rey Lee-Lo and George Pisi starting in the midfield.

North Harbour and former NZ U20 player Christopher Vui will partner with Filo Paulo in the locking combination for the Samoans.

For France, Maxime Machenaud has been selected at scrumhalf by France coach Guy Noves.

The 60-year-old, who stepped down last month after 23 years in charge of the New Zealand men's sevens side, and following their quarter-final exit at the Rio Olympics, has been appointed Samoa's new coach.

Tietjens, who led New Zealand to two World Cups, four Commonwealth Games gold medals and 12 World Series crowns, will have former Manu Samoa coach Stephen Betham as his assistant.

"Samoa has huge amount of potential to start progressing in the World Series," he said.

Argentina XV and Fiji Warriors kicked off their in impressive fashion with big wins over Rugby Americas North duo, Canada A and USA Selects.

Americas Rugby Championship 2016 winners Argentina XV ran in seven tries to overpower the slow-starting Canadians 56-29, while Fiji Warriors look in good shape to follow up their victory at the World Rugby Pacific Challenge back in April after brushing aside the USA Select XV, 62-12.

Wests Tigers speedster Kevin Naiqama is set to play his 10th test for the Bati after missing the Melanesian Cup defeat to Papua New Guinea in May.

Manly hooker Apoisai Koroisau and Knights forward Korbin Sims are also poised to pull on the Fiji jersey for the first time in 2016, while Lautoka-born Panthers centre Waqa Blake is in line to make his test debut at Apia Park.

Etuate Qionimacawa, who starred with a hat-trick in the May test against the Kumuls, is absent from the 18-strong squad, with Pio Seci and Saimoni Lomaloma are the only locally based players included.

Tries from Brendon O'Connor, Tom Youngs and Ed Slater helped the Tigers to a commanding victory at Welford Road, Owen Williams adding 17 points with the boot.

Semesa Rokoduguni and Tom Dunn crossed for Bath, but Todd Blackadder's men were ultimately well beaten as the hosts powered clear in the second half.

Leicester move up to fourth in the table, a point behind Bath and five shy of leaders Wasps.