the improving tackle skills of all players, rather than those usually associated with just the back-row.Im not sure, I think mo

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- Switzerlands supreme court says it has dismissed Russias appeal to compete at the Paralympics in September in Rio de Janeiro.The Swiss Federal Tribunal says its judge dismissed the Russian Paralympic Committees request for an interim ruling overturning a ban by the International Paralympic Committee because of state-sponsored doping.The court says the Russian body had not demonstrated it had fulfilled all its obligations to anti-doping rules.Russias request that individual athletes be allowed to compete was also rejected because they were not specified parties to appeals against the ban.Russia lost 267 entries for the Rio Paralympics, which will be held from Sept. 7-18. Nike Zoom Discount . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Nike Zoom Wholesale .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. http://www.cheapnikezoom.net/ . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Cheap Nike Zoom Shoes . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Nike Zoom Clearance . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Wallabies flanker David Pocock says he and fellow breakdown specialist Michael Hooper will continue to work on their back-row combination as pressure mounts on the dual-fetcher setup.Both men have struggled to repeat their dynamic performances from last years Rugby World Cup in the Rugby Championship, leading to calls for the Wallabies to field a more traditional back-row that could see either Pocock or Hooper demoted to the bench for Saturdays clash with the Springboks.The Wallabies lost a number of lineouts against the All Blacks in twin Bledisloe defeats and asked few questions of the world champions defence, while Hooper and Pocock were unable to assert themselves at the breakdown -- an art they perfected when dubbed Pooper last year.But Pocock believes that lack of impact at the breakdown may in part be down to the improving tackle skills of all players, rather than those usually associated with just the back-row.Im not sure, I think most teams are still looking to have that on-the-ball presence and a lot of players across the field are starting to get a lot better at it, Pocock said when asked about the changing patterns of breakdown play.A few props, hookers, some of the outside backs; against England they had a number of guys who were getting good turnovers against us.The All Blacks have pressured the ball with their second-rowers; Sam Canes pretty handy in that area, too. So I think theres definitely a role for it, a lot of it dependss on, I dont know, the amount of space the opposition team gives in that area.ddddddddddddThe Wallabies have lost their last six Tests while the South Africans are coming off a last-start loss to Argentina, the second defeat of Allister Coetzees short coaching tenure.The Springboks are without the injured No.8 Duane Vermeulen, with Warren Whiteley, Oupa Mahoje and Francois Louw starting against the Pumas two weeks ago. Both Louw and Whiteley are additional lineout options to locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, giving the Springboks the chance to repeat the All Blacks set-piece dominance of the Wallabies come Saturday in Brisbane.While he wouldnt be drawn on the make-up of the Wallabies back-row - and the need to combat the Springboks lineout superiority -- Pocock had nothing but praise for teammate Hooper.I really enjoy playing alongside Hoops, I mean his work-rate is huge, Pocock said.If you look at just the metres he gets through, the ground that he covers; its pretty impressive. I certainly enjoy playing alongside him.Selections issues: youve got to talk to the people making the decisions. But as a player, you know I am really enjoying playing alongside him and well keep working hard on that combination and trying to make it better and improve it.Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will name his squad on Thursday. ' ' '