We have collected 16 of the best quotes about rugby, courtesy of a few of the most renowned coaches and players.
1. "Don't swear, now, you're on telly, mun."
Nigel Owens to New Zealand's Dan Carter in the final.
2. "For an 18-month suspension, I feel I probably should have torn it off. Then at least I could say, 'Look, I've returned to South Africa with the guy's ear.'"
South Africa's Johan le Roux after biting the ear of Kiwi Sean Fitzpatrick
3. ”Rugby players are either piano shifters or piano movers. Fortunately, I am one of those who can play a tune.”
French rugby player Pierre Danos.
4. “Rugby backs can be identified because they generally have clean jerseys and identifiable partings in their hair… come the revolution the backs will be the first to be lined up against the wall and shot for living parasitically off the work of others.”
Peter Fizsimmons
5. “Grandmother or tails, sir?”
To Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, Gordonstoun School’s rugby captain, for his pre-match coin-toss preference from an anonymous rugby referee in 1995.
6. "Maybe he was keen to get to the bathroom, who knows?"
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper's odd joke ahead of World Rugby's public hanging of referee Craig Joubert after he sprinted from the field following the quarterfinal between Scotland and Australia.
7. "Forwards win games, backs decide by how much"
Unknown.
8. "We've lost seven of our last eight matches. Only team that we've beaten was Western Samoa. Good job we didn't play the whole of Samoa."
Welsh rugby star Gareth Davies in 1989.
9. "I'd like to thank the press from the heart of my bottom."
Nick Easter after England silenced the doubters with their quarter-final win over Australia.
10. "No leadership, no ideas. Not even enough imagination to thump someone in the lineup when the ref wasn't looking."
J.P.R. Williams in 1984 on Wales losing 28-9 against Australia.
11.“It is like kissing your sister."
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer gives his view on the joy of having to play a third place playoff match.
12. "Remember that rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Jonah."
An anonymous fax to the New Zealand rugby team in 1995 before they went out to play England
13.“Sit back, enjoy and criticise and be like Clive Woodward and get a job on the television. That's my dream."
Eddie Jones of Japan responds to a query about what might be his next role after the World Cup.
14. ”The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.”
Derek Robinson
15. "The shortest word for me is I, the sweetest word for me is LOVE, but the only word for me is Rugby"
Unknown
16.”Rugby is great. The players don’t wear helmets or padding; they just beat the living daylights out of each other and then go for a beer. I love that.”
American football player Joe Theismann.
