“It’s always nice, games like this put a smile on your face, and hopefully it will make the next few days easier.”
– South Africa captain John Smit enjoyed Saturday’s 49-3 win over Fiji.
“It was a difficult game today and South Africa showed why they are world champions. It was a fantastic Springbok side. In my opinion it’s a better side than four years ago”
– Fiji captain Deacon Manu didn’t have quite such a good time.
“It hasn’t been mentioned at all.”
– Assistant coach Rob Howley says Wales would prefer not to dwell on past defeats as they prepare to face their World Cup nemesis Samoa on Sunday.
“Knowing that a small nation can perform on the big stage has been an inspiration in the past.”
– Samoa vice-captain Seilala Mapusua is more than willing to travel down Memory Lane.
“He’s pretty big, isn’t he?”
– Wales number 8 Andy Powell is a master of understatement as he describes Samoa’s Alesana Tuilagi.
“If you lose one you have a good chance. Lose two, you’re out. We’re hoping Wales will be out after Sunday.”
– Brian McLean, the Samoa assistant coach.
“We had a bad start and finished the same.”
– Romania centre Csaba Minya Gal after his side’s 43-8 defeat by Argentina.
“Day by day we are feeling better and our confidence is strong. The team is really enjoying the tournament.”
– Argentina fly half Santiago Fernández oozes confidence after Saturday’s win over Romania.
“Some of the things they got away with they won’t against some of the stronger sides.
– Alex Wyllie, the former All Blacks player and coach, strikes a cautionary note in the wake of Friday’s 83-7 win over Japan.
“The gap is not as big as people believe. They (Georgia’s players) are so hungry to improve. At the next World Cup we will try and get out of the pool.â€
– Georgia coach Richie Dixon (SCO) ahead of Sunday’s game against England.
“It would have been cracking. Home of one of the best club teams in the world, really knowledgable rugby people, it would have been a great venue. We were desperately disappointed for the people and for ourselves.”
– Scotland attack coach Gregor Townsend, speaking in Christchurch, laments the city’s loss of its RWC fixtures because of the February earthquake.