The finest, funniest and most memorable rugby quotes of 2023 : PlanetRugby

Planet Rugby continues to round up 2023 as we put together the finest, funniest and most memorable quips, remarks and outbursts in rugby this past year.

It was a Rugby World Cup year so, unsurprisingly, most of our quotes are taken from that tournament. How many can you recall from the global showpiece, Six Nations, Rugby Championship and more?

Rugby quotes from 2023

“The way that they have been behind us from the beginning. There’s so much that’s going wrong with our country, we are basically the last line of defence. There are so many people who come from where I come from who are in hopeless (situations). There’s so much division in the country, but we show, as people with different backgrounds, that it is possible to work together in South Africa, not just on the rugby field but in life in general.” – (Springboks captain Siya Kolisi following their win over the All Blacks in the World Cup Final in Paris).

“I love this negativity; it’s fantastic. I love it, love it; keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going. You ought to give yourselves uppercuts.” (Former Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones told journalists in his last interview in Australia before the squad boarded a plane for the Rugby World Cup).

???? Eddie Jones showing his teeth in what he described as the “worst press conference” he has attended. #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/6s5uAkYthD

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 17, 2023

“Sport can be cruel sometimes – I guess that’s why we love it.” (Ireland head coach Andy Farrell after his team’s World Cup quarter-final loss to New Zealand).

All Blacks quietly confident

“Keep us under the radar a little bit longer. We’re trying to build something that gets us where we want to be. We’ve made the point earlier that we feel the best way to prepare for the big stage is to prepare for the big stage every week. And that’s what we’ve had to learn. We know that we had some growing up to do as a team, coming into this year. And so far we’ve taken three pretty strong steps forward, which we’re pretty proud of. But I’m not sure it’s quite enough just yet.” (All Blacks head coach Ian Foster after guiding his team to their third successive Rugby Championship title).

“I’m gonna miss walking up the stairs to the coaches’ box before a Test. There’s something about taking your seat and watching the All Blacks play and, believe it or not, I love that. After that it’s the people. Full stop. It’s seeing young men grow and be put under the same pressure that I get put under and learning how to deal with that.” (Foster on what he’ll miss the most about his job after the All Blacks’ World Cup Final loss to the Boks).

“There is still a fear factor in the England players, a legacy of the Eddie Jones era that will take time for Borthwick to eradicate.” (Sir Clive Woodward wrote in a column for the Daily Mail after they lost to Scotland in the Six Nations).

“It would…