The Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) took centre stage this week with two more matches taking place in the six-team tournament.
The Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) took centre stage this week with two more matches taking place in the six-team tournament.
Fiji defeated Tonga 32-10, before Japan beat Canada 57-15.
Elsewhere, the build-up to the Top 14 opening round continues with players and staff having their say, while the fall out to the proposed changes in Welsh rugby continues.
Here’s our favourite soundbites from the week…
“I felt like throwing up. He left us saying: ‘I’m injured, I have a headache (following a concussion picked up in May), I want to play less. Saracens are offering me this opportunity.’ And suddenly, we find him with the Lions. It’s something I don’t understand. It’s called lying.”
Racing 92 owner Jacky Lorenzetti is feeling the effect of Owen Farrell’s departure:
“Can we not just accept other nations have improved? Can we just appreciate how good international rugby is at the moment and how good the Pumas and Wallabies have been this international window?”
Sonny Bill Williams responds to Kiwi complaints after their loss to Argentina:
“When I came here to just visit the club, I spoke with Ronan, and I said, I don’t come here just to enjoy La Rochelle and play nice in a good stadium. I just want to win something.”
New La Rochelle signing Nolann Le Garrec explains why he left Paris for the Atlantic coast:
“It pushes us to hope to win another trophy, whether it's the European Cup or the Top 14. Frankly, this star (for winning a Champions Cup) pushes us to aim higher.”
Union Bordeaux-Begles centre Nicolas Depoortère knows glory brings expectation:
“My contract was up at the end of the season, and they decided to go in a different direction. I’ll not lie, I was a little bit gutted and saddened by it, but 10 years is a long time to be at one club. It’s probably been good for me to move as well if I’m being truly honest.”
Departing Sale Sharks assistant coach Paul Deacon is sanguine about his leaving:
“The issue with all this is, we’re forgetting about the cultural element of it and what the effect of dropping two teams, going from four to two, is going to have on the communities across Wales and no one’s really listening to that.”
Ex-Wales hooker Ken Owens laments the chopping of two pro teams:
“If I’m not going to play another World Cup, or even if I am, it is important that Canada gets back there, not only for me as a player or the group that’s here, but for the future of the organisation. I want a young guy to have a chance that I had, and if we slip down to 25th/30th in the world, no one is ever going to get that chance.”
Canada number 8 Tyler Ardron explains his return to international action:
“They were quite aggressive, too, booing and shouting stuff at me. When there’s only a few hundred watching that feels a lot more intense. You turn around at a bloke yelling and he’s staring you straight in the eye and you’re thinking, ‘he’s going to knock me out here’.”
Former England flyhalf Freddie Burns is learning quickly about life in Romania:
“I had a big argument with Cockers (Richard Cockerill). I get suspended because I say the word you shouldn’t say in England. I don’t like the guy; no one likes him. He don’t have too many friends in his life, I think.”
Ex-Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni won’t be sending his ex-coach a Christmas card: