Öffentliche News » more designed runs this time around against t

RIO DE JANEIRO -- There couldnt have been a better advertisement for rugbys return to the Olympics than Fijis first gold medal.The Fijians were faster, they were stronger and they were on a higher level. And they could really sing. Best of all, in the words of World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, the Fijians were everybodys second favorite team.Thats everybody apart from the 900,000 people in Fiji, where rugby sevens is the national sport and the players are revered.In the first rugby competition at the Olympics since 1924, and in the condensed seven-a-side format rather than the traditional 15s, the six medals were spread across the world.Fijis 43-7 win over Britain in the mens gold-medal match was a lesson in how the game can be played. South Africa soundly beat Japan for bronze but the Japanese team played its part to promote the game with its shocking opening win over powerhouse New Zealand. People in Japan took notice. People in Fiji couldnt avoid it -- the country shut down as the national sevens team delivered Fijis first ever medal.The womens world series champion Australians won the gold medal in a final against No. 2-ranked New Zealand, and Canada beat Britain for bronze. The host nation did well enough in the womens ranks to qualify a Brazilian team for next years world series.You come to events that are far bigger than anything we normally stage and to be a part of it has been fantastic, Beaumont said, adding that it was taking the game to new markets.It also was a good chance for rugby, he said, to show the Olympic family what we can do with our sport.Japans unexpected run in the mens draw could have positive consequences for the hosts of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where rugby is expected to be played in a 45,000-seat stadium -- three times the size of the temporary Deodoro Stadium venue used in Brazil.Weve had the opportunity and we thank the IOC for that. Weve got Tokyo in four years, a year after Rugby World Cup in Japan, so I can only see rugby expanding in both forms of the game, Beaumont said. Theres no one in World Rugby conceited enough to think we have a divine right to be here but hopefully weve showcased our sport on the world stage.The rugby sevens format is like a snack-sized version of the traditional 15-a-side game. The games are played on a full field, with seven players in a team and with halves of seven minutes instead of 40. So the impetus is on attacking rugby, good fodder for the highlight reels.And, it makes it achievable for countries which dont have a long rugby tradition or a huge budget to be competitive at the Olympics.If you think about the semifinals, there were countries from Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa, Beaumont said. Thats not bad for a global game, so from that point of view thats been good.Hopefully weve earned the right to be a permanent sport and well be trying like mad to retain our status.World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said the attendances picked up after the 15,000-seat stadium was only half full on the first of six days of competition.Weve sat between 75-85 percent for the rest of the tournament, Gosper said. Thats punching above most of the sports here so far, and were happy with that.Japan will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and it is expected the Olympic tournament in 2020 will be staged in the Ajinomoto Stadium, which is close to the main Olympic venues and holds 45,000 people.As far as Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is concerned, rugby has earned its place at the Olympics.I wanted to thank the Olympic committee for including rugby sevens into the Olympics and we hope the brand of rugby we played today has justified the inclusion, he said. It props up little tiny nations like us. Nike Air Max Korting . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Nike Air Max 90 Nederland . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.airmaxkopennederland.com/ . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Air Max 2019 Goedkoop . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Nike Air Max 95 Goedkoop . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers coach Ron Rivera admits hes hoping for some bad weather on Thursday night.He figures maybe that might help slow down Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Well, that and a seemingly much-improved defense.Brees pounded the Panthers secondary on Oct. 16, throwing for 465 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints built a 21-0 lead and held on to win 41-38 on the Louisiana Superdome turf.In the three games since, Carolinas defense has clamped down, allowing only four combined offensive touchdowns while getting 15 sacks with four takeaways.Carolinas young secondary, which was racked by injuries in the previous meeting, has gotten healthy and is starting to mesh.Drew is a great quarterback and he was able to find those holes, find those mismatches, find the mistakes that were being made on our defense last time, Panthers safety Kurt Coleman said.But we have been able to correct those things over these last few weeks. I feel like our chemistry, the communication aspect that you need as a defense as a whole has been much better.Added Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy: What we had last year was a swagger, and were getting our swagger back.Saints coach Sean Payton said he can see on tape the Panthers are playing with renewed confidence.Theyre playing outstanding defense, Payton said. Their pressure on the quarterback has increased.Said Brees: They thrive on giving you a lot of different looks at times and they have a pressure package, and try to force turnovers.But stopping Brees wont be easy.He is completing nearly 70 percent of passes and has thrown 24 touchdown passes with only seven interceptions. His QB rating is second in the league behind Atlantas Matt Ryan.Some things to watch in Thursday nights game:DOUBTING THOMAS: Saints second-round draft choice Michael Thomas has emerged as the NFLs leading rookie receiver, but is coming off one of his worst games as a pro. He fumbled twice in the fourth quarter -- both resulting in Denver points -- and had a pass ripped from his grasp for an interception in the Saints 25-23 loss to Denver last Sunday. Thomas has been quiet since, disappearing from the locker room after the game and declining to speak with reporters on Tuesday. Emotionally hes great, Brees said. Hes chomping at the bit to get back out there and perform.ddddddddddddKICKING THEMSELVES: Major breakdowns on kicks have figured prominently into two Saints losses, including last Sunday. The decisive play in the loss to the Broncos was a blocked extra-point kick that was returned for a defensive 2-point conversion with 1:28 to go. Earlier this season, the Saints had a field goal blocked and returned for a TD in New York against Giants, who pulled out a three-point victory in that game despite not scoring an offensive TD.ON THE MEND: The Panthers are anxious to get two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil back on the field after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury. Carolinas running game has struggled in Kalils absence.Panthers quarterback Cam Newton called Kalil his secret jewel, saying he does more for a quarterback than any offensive lineman in the league.Defensively, outside linebacker Shaq Thompson is expected to play after missing two games with a knee injury.NEWTON RUNNING: Newton only ran twice against the Saints on Oct. 16 in his first game back from a concussion. But the mobile QB is expected to see more designed runs this time around against the Saints. Newton carried a season-high 12 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in Carolinas 20-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Rivera isnt tipping his hand when it comes to Thursday nights strategy, saying its just about the game plan more than it is anything else.SAINTS DEFENSE: The Saints could have as many as four defensive regulars on the field for their rematch against Carolina who were unable to play in the previous meeting. Those include rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins -- a first-round pick last spring -- and veteran linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who each had sacks last weekend.Also back is top cornerback Delvin Breaux and defensive end Paul Kruger. Getting those guys back into the mix always helps, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said. .... Theyre talented, they play fast. Theyve been playing well as of late, thats for sure.---AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '