Harlequins director of rugby Conor OShea reckons England prop Joe Marler would have endured a hostile reception in Australia had he not withdrawn from the summer tour. Marler has been mired in controversy this season after being banned for a racial slur on Samson Lee of Wales during the Six Nations and for committing an act of foul play against Grenoble hooker Arnaud Heguy while playing front-row for Harlequins.After speaking to England head coach Eddie Jones, Marler decided to pull out of the Test against Wales on Sunday week and three-match series against the Wallabies on the grounds he is not in the right frame of mind to play international rugby. OShea believes it is the right decision and recalls the hostility displayed towards Marler by Montpellier fans before kick-off in Fridays Challenge Cup final in Lyon.When I heard the reaction from the French crowd that he got when his name was read out in Lyon last weekend all I could think was thank God hes not on the pitch to hear that, OShea said.I was down in Australia in 1994 and I remember trying to put in a contact lens, my picture being put up on the big screen, and someone saying, go back and put on your makeup. Conor OShea, Harlequins director of rugby You know Australia will not be backwards in coming forward and all things considered they have made the decision that is right for Joe in the long term.I know what hes gone through over the last few months and I respect whatever decision he and Eddie have made.And Marler indicated the pressure of a troubled season has taken its toll on him.It has been a very enjoyable but sometimes difficult season, said Marler in a statement released by the Rugby Football Union.After speaking to Eddie I have decided that the best thing for me is to take a rest and not go to Australia.Whenever you play for England you have to be 100 per cent and unfortunately Im not in that place at the moment. Its not a decision Ive come to lightly, but I feel I would be letting my team-mates and my country down if I were to tour. Also See: Marler pulls out of tour Marler banned again Giovanni Fiore Jersey . 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Adam Henrique Ducks Jersey . -- Fresh off their surprising run in the playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers have signed head coach Terry Stotts to a multi-year contract extension.Sochi, Russia - Alexander Radulov recorded two goals and an assist and Sergei Bobrovsky posted a shutout to lead Russia into the quarterfinals on Tuesday with a 4-0 win over Norway at the Sochi Olympics. Captain Pavel Datsyuk added three assists to help the Russians take down the Norwegians and set up a quarterfinal matchup against Finland on Wednesday. The Finns received a bye to the quarterfinals after posting a second-place finish in Group B. Bobrovsky, a goaltender for the NHLs Columbus Blue Jackets, made 22 saves to keep the Norwegians off the scoreboard. It was the first win of the tournament for Bobrovsky, who was a tough-luck loser in 3-2 shootout loss to the United States in group play. The host Russians are under enormous pressure to win gold in Sochi and they are hoping to take the same road Canada used en route to its Olympic title at the 2010 Vancouver Games. The Canadians were the sixth overall seed coming out of the preliminary round four years ago in Vancouver, but still went on to capture the gold medal. Lars Haugen stopped 27-of-30 shots in the loss. Norway failed to record a single win in four games at the Sochi Olympics and was outscored by a 16-3 margin in the tournament. Norway played Tuesday without forward Mats Zuccarello, the lone NHLer on the teams roster. The New York Ranger missed the contest due to a hand injury. Zuccarello failed to score in any of Norways three games in the group stage. Russia opened a 1-0 lead early in the second period on Radulovs goal at the 4:12 mark. Radulov charged through the neutral zone and down the right wing before wheeling around the net and sending a backhand shot on net. The puck hit off the skate of Norways Morten Ask before finding its way into the net.dddddddddddd The goal was the first for Russia, not including shootouts, in 101 minutes, 28 seconds. The Russians dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the United States on Saturday and followed with a 1-0 shootout win over Slovakia to end group play on Sunday. Norway was whistled for a penalty 1:35 after Radulovs goal, but Russia was unable to convert on the ensuing man advantage. The Russians had plenty of offensive zone time on the power play, but couldnt get one past Haugen. However, Russia was able to extend the lead to 2-0 later in the second period. Radulov received a pass from Datsyuk in the left circle and hit the post with a backhand attempt. The puck then hit off Haugens back and briefly stayed out of the net until Ilya Kovalchuk knocked it across the line from the right side of the crease. Vladimir Tarasenko had a chance to extend the Russian lead to three goals, but he was stopped by Haugen on a breakaway with just under four minutes gone in the third period. Alex Ovechkin missed a breakaway attempt later in the third period. The Washington Capitals superstar appeared to be tripped by a Norwegian player on the breakaway, but no call was made. The Russians started slowly, firing just seven shots on net in a scoreless opening period. Norway had six shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes and both teams failed to convert on a power-play opportunity in the first. Russia padded its cushion with a pair of goals in the final two minutes of play. Radulov recorded an empty-net goal with 1:07 remaining and Alexei Tereshenko scored with the goaltender back in the game just 27 seconds later. ' ' '