Sonny Bill Williams

The taped-up collar was obvious when the All Black centre came off the bench in the Blues game against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night.

It was understood Williams, who is Muslim, covered the logo for religious reasons.

Muslims believe the charging of interest is prohibited by the Quran.

As a part of their collective agreement any player can lodge a conscientious objection to promoting finance, alcohol, tobacco, gambling companies and banks.

Williams hasn't played since rupturing his Achilles at the Rio Olympics in August.

He's one of three players welcomed back by the Blues with Steven Luatua returning after suspension and fellow loose forward Blake Gibson from injury.

All Black Rieko Ioane earns a recall to the starting line-up at centre after a big contribution off the bench in the win over the Western Force last weekend.

The Blues midfielder is available for selection for this weekend's Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Williams hasn't played rugby since rupturing his achilles tendon during the New Zealand Sevens' Rio Olympics campaign.

While the 31-year-old is considered fit to play, a minor foot injury could halt his return for another week.

RNZ reports the 23-man team will be named on Thursday.

Meanwhile the Blues first five troubles continue to go from bad to worse with Ihaia West ruled out for at least three weeks with an ankle injury.

Every year the focus falls on the Blues No 10 jersey but the bloke inside him could prove more influential this season.

All the hype and expectation surrounding the Blues this year predominately emerged from the recruitment of Sonny Bill Williams. Now we know he won't feature for at least the first five weeks due to his recovery from an Achilles injury, Augustine Pulu could well prove a better piece of business.

The A$500,000 (NZD$532,000) loan came just before Mundine's recent fight against Danny Green, The Sunday Telegraph in Sydney reported.

There was no written agreement, just a handshake, the newspaper said.

It was the return of a favour, as Mundine gave Williams A$750,000 (NZD$800,000) in 2008 when Williams went to play rugby in France, leaving the Canterbury Bulldogs rugby league team.

"It's very hard to explain our brotherhood in words," Mundine said. "I didn't understand it until I became a Muslim. We trust and we love each other.

RNZ reports New Zealand suffered one of the biggest upsets in sevens history when they were beaten 14-12 by Japan.

In a double blow for the team Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of the tournament with a partial Achilles rupture. He has been replaced by Sione Molia.

Joe Webber also left the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

The New Zealanders struggled to get possession in the first half of the pool match against Japan - with the score 7-7 at half time - and Japan defended well after the break.

Williams is set to return from the Rio Games the week of the All Blacks second test against the Wallabies in Wellington on the 27th August.

Williams is joined in the midfield by Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa and George Moala, while Seta Taminivalu, who made his debut against Wales, misses out.

The Daily Telegraph reports the National Rugby League club has met with Williams' agent Khoder Nasser in the past week and will attempt to lure the headline grabbing All Black midfielder back to Bondi Junction with a lifetime contract.

Roosters boss Nick Politis wants Williams wearing a tri-colours jersey as soon as this year — and he's prepared to offer him a multi-million-dollar lifetime contract to make it happen.

Williams has been included in the New Zealand squad to play in Wellington this weekend, a strong pointer he will also feature in the inaugural Sydney 7s world series leg on February 6-7 at Allianz Stadium.

The All Blacks' World Cup champion has taken a season off Super Rugby to seek selection for the Rio Olympics, and his new coach, Sir Gordon Tietjens, says Williams is ahead of schedule in his transition to the seven-a-side game.

Williams is joined by three other rookies in Counties Manukau pair, Josh Van Lieshout and Sione Molia, and Hawke’s Bay’s Billy Ropiha who all impressed at the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua last weekend.

Van Lieshout and Sione Molia helped Counties Manukau to a first Bayley National Sevens title since 1995 after a stunning 54-14 victory over North Harbour in Sunday’s final.