Rugga Quotables
Everything has changed since I came to the Bulls 13 weeks ago. I'm stronger, fitter, and mentally tougher and I'm burning to put all the last few months' hard work into action. I don't really want to make comparisons [to the Stormers] but what I can say is that I never realised what my body and mind were capable of before I joined the Bulls. I didn't realise one could be pushed so far
~ Johann Sadie ~
Duane Vermeulen was a good acquisition for the pack, but WP has never contracted a world class prop. I don't think they'll be able to launch attacks from their scrums this year. However, it (their scrum) shouldn’t disintegrate if I take into account the way the referees are currently applying the laws.
~ Robbie Kempson feels the Stormers' front row doesn't instil enough fear into opponents. ~
The foot is really good. I've just started back running. I'll progress over the next few weeks to hopefully get back out on the field soon, but hopefully it's all behind me. By March, I should be pretty close to knowing when I'll be back, but I'd say some time in April. But I don't want to put too tight a time frame on it.
~ Richie McCaw expects to return to action in April. ~
SA's five existing franchises have threatened to pull out of Super Rugby in 2013 if six SA teams are not accommodated.
~ Rapport ~
The Bulls’ Barberton daisy and light blue colours could be replaced with a more representative emblem and the colours white, black, yellow and green when the Tshwane Sports Council officially become the governing body of sport in the Tshwane region on March 31.
~ Beeld ~
I really believe he has more to give at international level. He’s only 29 and we could see him playing some of his best rugby over the next few years. He’s also in the best condition he’s been in for a long time, and I’ve noticed the difference that’s had on his performance.
~ Eddie Jones on his Suntory star Fourie du Preez ~
We want to start something new. We realise it was the end of an era but we're keen to start building another one. Everyone's energy is positive and we are keen to get going.
~ Pierre Spies ~
Last week we got three yellow cards at the breakdown and tonight certain okes got away with murder, and maybe they could have been penalised for slowing our ball down, being offside or not rolling away on purpose. I know that when Super Rugby starts the refs are going to be much harsher at the breakdown.
~ Allister Coetzee on officiating of the breakdown. ~
We are very dangerous when we have our backs to the wall like we were against Ireland but we are also very dangerous when we are confident. There is a lot of improvement to come in our game. What I tell the guys is be accurate, do the simple things well. If we do that then I think we will do really well in this championship.
~ Warren Gatland ~
The Stormers are a very experienced group, but the same principle which applies to me, applies to them as well: No matter how much experience you've got, you have to keep on growing. The transition from good to exceptionally good won't be measured by how much kilograms you can push, but by good decision making on the field. You don't want to wonder after the match about what could have been.
~ Jonathan Kaplan offers some advice to the Stormers ~
I wanted to come back to South Africa, especially for my family's sake. I have two little kids and want to raise them here amongst their family. The chance to slot in at the Bulls thus comes at an ideal time for me. It is also a chance to get back into South African rugby.
~ Rayno Gerber on his return to the Bulls. ~
I'm not an administrator that decides over these things. As coach I am however totally in favour of the Springboks playing in it (the Currie Cup). Their participation will naturally be limited with the new composition of the national Test roster because it will clash with Tests in the Four Nations (Rugby Championship), but I won't keep players out of the series on purpose.
~ Heyneke Meyer says he won't prevent his players from playing in the Currie Cup. ~
I'm not going to appoint a long-term captain immediately. I want to pick a short-term captain, get to know the players and then make an informed decision.
~ Heyneke Meyer ~
There are two kinds of rugby - winning rugby and losing rugby. I prefer the first.
~ Newly appointed Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer ~
The Southern Kings will play Super Rugby in 2013.
~ Jurie Roux ~
The Lions are bankrupt and Coca-Cola Park is more than R70-million in the red.
~ The New Age ~
I can’t comment on something that isn’t possible and which hasn’t been discussed with me. It is speculation and people’s opinions. My focus can only be here. The Sevens is why SARU appointed me.
~ Paul Treu says he hasn't been approached about joining the Springbok management team. ~
Hey tweeps.. Thanx for all the concerns.. Gio was involved in an accident this morning but luckily there were no serious injuries.
~ Bryan Habana tweets that Gio Aplon escaped injury after being involved in a car accident on Wednesday. ~
Heyneke Meyer is set to become the new Bok coach having met with Saru CEO Jurie Roux on Saturday to finalise his contract.
~ Rapport ~
I know I didn't referee as well as I should have. I took a plan of not being overly technical into that game and possibly that was not the right plan.
~ Bryce Lawrence on his performance in last year's World Cup quarter-final. ~
The schedule influences the performance of a team - more travel and less rest makes it difficult. We know it's an issue and we have more tools in our armoury to make it fairer this time.
~ IRB CEO Mike Miller promises a fairer schedule for the smaller countries at the 2015 World Cup. ~
Allister Coetzee is focusing on the Stormers. [I am] definitely not involved or in the run in for the Bok job ... and I'm sure whoever gets the job would be a good candidate.
~ Allister Coetzee rules himself out of the running for the Springbok coaching position. ~
I want to be the best scrumhalf in world rugby. To get there I will have to at the very least meet the standard Fourie [du Preez] set. But the game will evolve to a level that will probably require me to go past that standard. It’s a big challenge but I wouldn’t be able to settle for a mediocre goal.
~ Francois Hougaard ~
One day, if I'm good enough, I'd really like to coach the Boks. But a Bok coach mustn't be too young. At around 50 you have the experience to manage the people and handle the politics around the game.
~ Rassie Erasmus on the Springbok coaching job ~
We're taking 30 guys to Cape Town. They obviously all have to be fit to play. We'll leave the injured one's at home.
~ Naka Drotske says he'll pick two teams for the Neo Africa Tri-Series ~
Hougie wants to make his mark at scrumhalf this year and we gave him the assurance that he will get enough chances there.
~ Frans Ludeke confirms that Francois Hougaard will primarily at scrumhalf this year ~
He has the most experience and is the one who commands the most respect among the Boks.
~ John Smit backs Schalk Burger to take over the captaincy of the Springboks ~
There are a number of new opportunities that have surfaced at a higher level. Each is an exciting and massive new challenge and that is a big attraction to me at this stage of my career.
~ Rassie Erasmus ~
People are wrong about me. I do not eat children.
~ Bakkies Botha ~
I do understand the need for England players to be role models in the game and have tried to live up to that at all times, but have made a couple of stupid decisions in the past weeks. I can only hope for the chance in the future to prove those decisions were the exception not the rule. I am devastated because my actions have let so many people down.
~ Danny Care ~
I feel very honoured, very humbled in getting this award. Obviously winning the Rugby World Cup put the icing on the cake. I don't think I'd be standing here today if we hadn't done that.
~ Sir Graham Henry ~
It is essential that the Ireland team is given every opportunity to remain competitive at international level and to do that, it requires Irish-qualified players to gain continuous experience at club and provincial level.
~ Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive ~
My biggest fear would be devaluing what I have achieved and devaluing the jersey. You have to stop at some point and this is the right time for me.
~ Chris Paterson ~
Im heart broken for Dewet Barry & his wife who lost their 2 year old son this morning to a lung infection.God bless them in this time.
~ John Smit tweets his condolences to former Springbok teammate De Wet Barry and his wife Marcelle ~
"I have huge pride in New Zealand rugby and I'm passionate about the All Blacks and New Zealand. I feel humbled and proud to be given the opportunity to lead the team into its next phase. My aim will be to leave the team in a better shape than how I found it and to enhance its legacy.
~ Steve Hansen ~
We believe Zac brought the game into disrepute and the sanctions reflect the gravity of the situation and the need for a real pathway to recovery.
~ Neil Sorensen, NZRU professional rugby manager ~
Jonny redefined the standards for rugby players in his extraordinary international playing career. His capacity for hard work, continual improvement and dedication has left a lasting legacy by which future players will be judged.
~ Damian Hopley, Rugby Players' Association chief executive ~
I've always said I would do whatever's right for whatever team I'm in, but I do think my best position is seven. I can play the other ones and if I have to do that, I have to do that. That's why I want to carry on playing, because I still think I can offer something. When I stop doing that, or stop enjoying it, I'll start doing something else.
~ Richie McCaw ~
Finals are about taking opportunities and they took theirs and we missed ours. Hopefully we have learned valuable lessons such as we should have kept the ball in hand when there was only a minute or a minute and 15 to go. But it’s experiences like this that the players will learn from.
~ Paul Treu ~
The French are worse when they are scared ... They were as bad as they have been and were going for the eyes. My eye was a bit sore for a while and I was struggling to see for a bit. I was surprised they didn't cite him [Aurelien Rougerie].
~ Richie McCaw on the ill-tempered World Cup final ~
I am very keen to get stuck in at SuperSport and will give it a full go, but it is no secret that I want to become involved in coaching too. This will afford me the opportunity to do both, something that I am very pleased about.
~ Victor Matfield ~
It was a fantastic occasion for me personally and I feel privileged. There's no better place to play than the Millennium Stadium and, because of the fans, I was balling my eyes out.
~ Shane Williams ~
It was disappointing for us that we did not play to our full potential. We gained some valuable points which allowed us to stay in touch with the front group on the log and we will now regroup and focus our efforts on doing well in our home tournament next week in Nelson Mandela Bay.
~ Paul Treu ~
Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to play for the Boks, but at the moment I am not focusing on that, I just want to settle in and make a difference here [at the Waratahs], and then we will see.
~ Sarel Pretorius ~
Timo (Timothy) still has a long way to go but one can never be too young. We will give him an opportunity in the pre-season friendlies to show what he is capable of. We did the same with a youngster like prop Steven Kitshoff last year and he came through.
~ Allister Coetzee confirms SA Schools flyhalf Timothy Swiel is training with the Stormers ~
The Barbarians have two out of three now in the last three years against the southern hemisphere teams so why shoot them down after one bad game?
~ Victor Matfield ~
We are disappointed that we could not protect our ball much better against Fiji, who was clearly the best side on day two. However, there were many positives over the two days for us.
~ Paul Treu ~
"He's a legend in the game - 110 tests for South Africa, four caps for the Barbarians. He is a wonderful player and you can see why when you get up close."
~ Steve Hansen ~
I strongly recommend the UAR (Argentine Rugby Union) hold two games in Buenos Aires and one outside.
~ SANZAR CEO Greg Peters ~
Jake will bring maturity and pragmatism to a young squad that will take 2-3 years to develop. He will bring the physical intensity of the Boks and try to rediscover the Brumbies' attacking game.
~ Eddie Jones ~
I have a new dream and that is to coach the Springboks someday.
~ Victor Matfield ~
We have lost some great players due to retirements and overseas contracts, but I am excited about the change of guard within the squad. We had a proud history in Super Rugby in recent times and will work very hard to emulate that.
~ Frans Ludeke ~
I'm not going to go over there [to South Africa] if there's any personal threat or I have concerns about my safety.
~ Bryce Lawrence ~
The WPRFU Executive Committee unanimously agreed that Newlands is currently the home of rugby in the Western Province, and will be treated as such for the foreseeable future. The Western Province Rugby Football Union embraces such a historic match which will form part of the busy 2012 Super Rugby and Test Match schedule at Newlands Stadium.
~ WPRFU ~
Solly was a trailblazer among black African Springboks and if the reports are correct, to lose him so suddenly and in this brutal manner is very distressing. The casual disregard for life in our society is shocking.
~ Oregan Hoskins ~
To my mind, and I am not necessary speaking on behalf of Saracens, because it is not our issue, but provincial and international competitions between South Africa, France and England must at some point be taken very seriously.
~ Saracens Group Chief Executive Edward Griffiths ~
We can't stop the evolution of the game, but we should at least try to preserve the essence of rugby. Nowadays it's a war of muscles.
~ Hugo Porta ~
The IRB, with our help, changed the regulations relating to the availability, so opened the window such that the clubs had to release the [Argentine] players to play in the Rugby Championship.
~ John O’Neill ~
Last year we made the Super Rugby final and this season we topped the South African Conference. What does this say about the rest of South Africa if our tight five is not good enough?
~ Rassie Erasmus on the Stormers' supposed weak tight five ~
Not winning the World Cup makes me feel like there is unfinished business, that the story isn’t finished. So if they call for applications for the Springbok job I will definitely apply for it. Why not? I have enjoyed doing the job and it was a privilege for me to serve my country. If I apply and my application is not accepted that is fine, I will accept what is good for South African rugby and move on. The next coach will have my full support.
~ Peter de Villiers ~
We've banned the tan. It's real tan only. And you are only allowed to wear coloured boots if you've played over 50 times for the Ospreys or over 15 times for your country.
~ Sean Holley, Ospreys coach ~
These five [2012 NZ] Super Rugby teams are the strongest and most exciting we have ever seen straight off the back of a Rugby World Cup year. It’s reassuring that while some of our senior players are taking the next phase of their rugby careers offshore - the depth of talent available to Super Rugby selectors this year has been impressive.
~ Neil Sorensen ~
It’s been an enormous privilege to coach the All Blacks and I am exceptionally proud of how the team has added to the All Blacks legacy over the last eight years.
~ Graham Henry ~
We were just outplayed by a better side. It's been a long season and there's some wear and tear after a lot of rugby. But I don't want to use anything as an excuse, I don't want to take anything away from the Lions, they deserve the trophy.
~ John Plumtree ~
He made an ordinary bunch of guys into stars.
~ Doppies la Grange pays tribute to John Mitchell ~
This week we aren’t friends. There is definitely no love lost between us. We are both trying to rub each other’s noses in the dirt. There will definitely not be any friendly phone calls between us.
~ John Plumtree on his friendship with John Mitchell ahead of Saturday's Absa Currie Cup final ~
You can see that the guys are in the right mindset to keep the cup. The Currie Cup is ours and we will not easily let go of it. I realise that the Lions will come at us with a tremendous onslaught. They see this as their big chance and are eager for success. It is something they do not know and want to savour it.
~ John Plumtree ~
I am not interested in getting directly involved with the coaching of the Boks, but rather help them on a technical basis once more in 2015.
~ Rassie Erasmus ~
If you just arrive on the spot you don't understand how big these games get at Rugby World Cups, and I think we've worked hard at it over the last four years, knew what we were in for and managed to achieve what we were after.
~ Richie McCaw ~
I'm absolutely shagged...we had to dig as deep as we have ever dug before...[but] we got there in the end.
~ Richie McCaw ~
Nothing is written yet ... they're not world champions. I don't feel like a future loser, or someone who has no chance of winning. We're still in the final, and despite how we've played so far, it's Sunday that counts.
~ Vincent Clerc ~
He [Nathan Sharpe] and Victor Matfield have probably been the best two lineout exponents in the last decade and it's a rivalry that's long standing.
~ Robbie Deans ~
This World Cup was lost by SA Rugby with the decisions they made four years ago. And as I sit back with a whiskey and soda highball and raise a silent toast to all Springbok coaches, I have to ask myself one prickly question: Why is it the coaches always take the flak? Some things do change, but the more they change, the more they stay the same.
~ Jake White ~
Graham Henry and the players would never admit it, but the All Blacks already have one hand and four fingers on the World Cup.
~ Dominion Post ~
I told them what I thought of them. That they're a bunch of undisciplined, spoiled brats, disobedient, sometimes selfish, always complaining, always whining, and they've been (frustrating me) for four years.
~ Marc Lievremont on his players ~
He [Warburton] is not a dirty player. Why spoil a World Cup semi-final by giving a red card? I'm absolutely gutted by it. We were down to 14 men against a world-class opposition and still had a chance to win, it just shows what sort of character our players have got. I'm really proud of the boys.
~ Warren Gatland ~
No, I won't apply.
~ John Mitchell rules himself out of contention as the next Springbok coach ~
You can place some blame on the ref, but the Bok attack was ineffective. They had all that ball but couldn't score a try. They weren't sharp enough to finish, in terms of their passing and support lines. They had no motion on the ball, no linkage between 9 & 10, and had too many one-off runners. Morne Steyn tried to be flatter, but not enough was happening.
~ Eddie Jones ~
I will not turn my back on South Africa but for at least the next four years I am 100 percent committed to leading the Brumbies and returning Super Rugby success to the people of Canberra.
~ Jake White ~
Bryce [Lawrence] is not difficult to communicate with, he just doesn't seem to listen very well. The one positive is that I won't ever have to be reffed by him again.
~ John Smit ~
Last week (Cruden) was skateboarding around Palmerston North, having a couple of beers and watching us play - now he's the No. 1 10 in the country.
~ Graham Henry ~
It was a brilliant journey. There's a time to come and a time to go and I think the journey for me is over.
~ Peter de Villiers ~
We didn't want to go out like this. We wanted to show how we can play rugby. I think we did it well. It was a great start for us and we are going to enjoy this victory. Now we need to keep it up and focus on the next game.
~ Thierry Dusautoir ~
The Springbok-Australia game, well I hope they knock 25 bells out of each other, that would be great and they all come off buggered. They're two very good sides and there will be some great rugby over the weekend.
~ Graham Henry ~
I’ll be sitting at home with my family on Sunday with a tear on my cheek as the team takes on the Wallabies.
~ Bakkies Botha ~
If we win on Sunday it will probably be down to experience and if we lose it will probably be down to our age.
~ Schalk Burger ~
Experience will come to the fore when it comes to these play-off games in the next three weeks. We will see which teams can use the individual experiences of playing in play-off rugby to the best of their ability.
~ John Smit ~
Australia won't be easy, but they will be easier [than Samoa].
~ Peter de Villiers ~
I am bitterly disappointed. I don’t know how the injury happened – it was at a ruck when I was cleaning someone out late in the game.
~ Frans Steyn ~
I can understand the hate!! Haha good luck u racist biased prick.
~ Samoa's Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu's Twitter comment on referee Nigel Owens ~
We are very hard on our discipline and I'm very proud of the boys that they kept their heads and stayed out of all that [off-the-ball] crap.
~ Victor Matfield ~
We expect you to be firing from all cylinders in the game against Samoa this Friday. Treat this game and the remaining games as the final and continue launching the final assault on the enemy as true warriors.
~ SA Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula ~
I am not sure if I am a centre or a fullback. I see I am listed everywhere as a utility back, so I guess that is what I am, whatever it means.
~ Frans Steyn ~
Competition for places in a team is always a good thing in my mind as it brings out the best in the players. We know where we stand with coach Peter and for us it's not about individual glory, but rather team performance.
~ Jean de Villiers on Frans Steyn's form ~
John had a tough time now and he is like [the] Duracell [bunny] at the moment - he just keeps on going. Not that he squeals, but I have to manage him too.
~ Peter de Villiers on managing John Smit ~
Any guy that has played a 100 Tests as an openside flank has something special about him simply because of the physical torture you endure.
~ Schalk Burger on Richie McCaw ~
‘We started too loose, but credit to John [Smit] for getting the guys together. It was a brilliant game, it was loose in the beginning but we did well to come back."
~ Peter de Villiers on the African derby ~
“Bismarck is the stronger ball-carrier and defender but you also have to bear in mind that John will achieve more in the scrums and in the lineouts in the first 60 minutes (than Bismarck).”
~ Peter de Villiers ~
"The worst part is that warm-up because you're tight, you've had a hard week and then you have to warm yourself up and then sit for 60 minutes on the bench."
~ Bismarck du Plessis on the worst part of being benched ~
"It's one man's opinion. We do it because we want to and it's part of our history, our tradition, we're proud of it. I don't really care what he thinks."
~ Ma'a Nonu slams Peter de Villiers' remark that the haka is losing its potency ~
"It just shows a little bit of arrogance we sometimes have in the southern hemisphere - we think we're the best teams in the world - and Ireland showed last night that's not the case."
~ All Blacks back Richard Kahui ~
"It's a good win, but I'm not sitting here with the Webb Ellis Cup beside me, it's a win and we're in a pool stage and we've got to get four wins."
~ Brian O'Driscoll on Ireland's win over Australia ~
"Some people are too focused on the scoreboard, but the scoreboard doesn’t get you through to the next round – a win does."
~ Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach ~
"There's no truth to that idea at all. Some people have got very fertile minds. That's not the case, it's ridiculous."
~ Graham Henry on whether his stars were legitimately injured ~
"It wasn’t a rugby Test, it was a test of character. I think that we got our starting XV right, and the bench made the difference in the second half. They upped the tempo and put the opposition under pressure."
~ Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach ~
"It’s been said that we don’t play rugby, but we weren’t allowed to play much today. Wales flood the breakdown and the gate doesn’t seem to be a priority [with the referee]. It makes it very difficult to go forward if that area isn’t patrolled well."
~ John Smit, Springbok captain ~
When you walk through the shadow of the valley of death, sometimes it’s difficult to know which side your bread is buttered...
~ Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach ~
I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip.
~ Bill McLaren, describing Colin Meads ~
