nt 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, Eur

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. 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Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe insists it was the right decision to substitute star striker Adam Taggart and import Diego Castro despite watching his A-League team crash to a 3-3 draw with Central Coast at nib Stadium.Glory were cruising at 3-0 up at halftime following a brace from Taggart and a 35th-minute penalty to Castro on Saturday.Taggart, who had endured two injury-plagued years in Europe before sustaining an ankle issue during the pre-season, was subbed off in the 63rd minute with Perth still holding a commanding 3-1 lead.Glory had a two-goal lead when Castro exited the game in the 78th minute.But from there the wheels fell off in dramatic fashion.A bizarre own goal from Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy in the 84th minute ensured for a nervy finish, and the Mariners snatched a point when ODonovan converted a penalty in the 86th.Reddys own goal occurred when the ball cannoned into him and back into the net after an attempted goal-line clearance from defender Marc Warren.Lowe admitted his side switched off mentally in the second half, and that his players didnt respect the game enough.But he said it was the right call to substitute Taggart and Castro.(Taggart) has been out (injured for) two years, Lowe said.Weve got to look after him to a certain extent, and the same with Diego.(Those substitutions) weree both cast in stone before we went out for the game.dddddddddddd. Thats where they are physically.Id sooner have Taggs for 27 games than something happens and we dont have him for another six or seven, and hes back to square one.Theres a bigger picture. Weve got a moral obligation to the kid.Central Coast were tipped by many experts to finish with the wooden spoon for the second season on the trot.Coach Paul Okon, who only replaced the sacked Tony Walmsley on August 28, thinks otherwise.Theres a lot of pride within the four walls of that dressing room, Okon said.Theres a winning mentality. There is a culture, which has been questioned in the last few days by the experts.One result doesnt make our season. But its a platform for us to build on and improve.Central Coast were lucky not to concede more goals in the second half, and Okon is well aware its an area he needs to fix.Recruit Jacques Faty looked underdone and committed a host of errors in defence before being subbed off at half-time.The Mariners will receive another stern test when they take on Sydney FC on Saturday night.The Sky Blues enter the match full of confidence following their 4-0 demolition of Western Sydney. ' ' '