The Quilter Autumn Nations Series got underway and there were wins for England, Scotland, South Africa, and New Zealand. England defeated Australia 25-7, Scotland defeated USA 85-0, South Africa avoided another Japan slip up by winning 61-7, and New Zealand levelled the score in Chicago with a 26-13 defeat of Ireland. Elsewhere, Eddie Jones shared his thoughts, a popular vet said his farewell, and there was one more week of action in France before they start their autumn campaign. Here’s our favourite soundbites… “There’s no doubt that they’re coming off their peak. Can they bring through some new young talent to get them up again? That’s going to be the challenge for Andy (Farrell) over the next 18 months.” Eddie Jones suggests it could be a time of change for Ireland as RWC2027 approaches: “We’ll never forget Brighton, and we’ve only beaten them three times. We struggled to put them away in the last two games, even in the (2019) RWC quarter-final, and we know what a good coach Eddie (Jones) is, so I didn’t expect this score.” Rassie Erasmus gives us his latest humble brag after the Boks beat Japan at Wembley: “I think the first 15 minutes probably told the story; it gave Scotland a lot of confidence, probably. It was a little bit of a shell-shock for our guys on the occasion at Murrayfield, and then they’re just trying to chase the game after that.” USA Eagles head coach Scott Lawrence tries to find positives after an 85-0 defeat:
The Quilter Autumn Nations Series got underway and there were wins for England, Scotland, South Africa, and New Zealand.
England defeated Australia 25-7, Scotland defeated USA 85-0, South Africa avoided another Japan slip up by winning 61-7, and New Zealand levelled the score in Chicago with a 26-13 defeat of Ireland.
Elsewhere, Eddie Jones shared his thoughts, a popular vet said his farewell, and there was one more week of action in France before they start their autumn campaign.
Here’s our favourite soundbites…
“There’s no doubt that they’re coming off their peak. Can they bring through some new young talent to get them up again? That’s going to be the challenge for Andy (Farrell) over the next 18 months.”
Eddie Jones suggests it could be a time of change for Ireland as RWC2027 approaches:
“We’ll never forget Brighton, and we’ve only beaten them three times. We struggled to put them away in the last two games, even in the (2019) RWC quarter-final, and we know what a good coach Eddie (Jones) is, so I didn’t expect this score.”
Rassie Erasmus gives us his latest humble brag after the Boks beat Japan at Wembley:
“I think the first 15 minutes probably told the story; it gave Scotland a lot of confidence, probably. It was a little bit of a shell-shock for our guys on the occasion at Murrayfield, and then they’re just trying to chase the game after that.”
USA Eagles head coach Scott Lawrence tries to find positives after an 85-0 defeat:
“We’ve got some areas to improve. I thought Fraser McReight stole too many balls from us. He’s a wonderful player, I think we can all say that. He’s an incredible player.”
England gaffer Steve Borthwick hopes his team learned from Aussie openside Fraser McReight:
“He would have got away with certain bits and pieces in his first season because people didn’t know him so well. Now he’s a marked man, he’s a targeted player, but understanding the personality of Henry, that’s what he wants.”
Ex-England wing Ugo Monye suggest Henry Pollock won’t worry about what comes next:
“Today I believe that Italy has the ability to beat anyone if they play at their best. (Tommaso) Menoncello, for example, is an extraordinary centre — perhaps one of the best in the world right now. If it is on the right day, Italy can be a problem for anyone.”
Ex-Italy and South Africa coach Nick Mallett warns that the Azzurri won’t be pushovers for the Boks in November:
“Our performances this season have not been good enough, and we owe it to our fans and stakeholders to acknowledge and take full responsibility — no excuses. That accountability sits across the entire organisation — from management and players, to myself as CEO.”
Chief Executive Shaun Bryans takes responsibility, by sacking head coach John Plumtree:
“In that environment, it’s almost encouraged. You have to be that alpha. It’s the toxic masculinity often described as poisonous. I could either use my powers for good or evil, and more often than not I’d lean to the evil side. I look back at that and go, f***, the amount of people I’ve made uncomfortable – I don’t want to do that now, I don’t want to be like that now.”
Joe Marler admits he used to be a bit of a bully boy in his playing days:
“It’s about time…After 23 years, 526 games, even though the body is saying don’t give up the time is right to move onto the next chapter of my life. I’ve been very fortunate to play this beautiful game for so long, rugby has given me so much.”
Jimmy Gopperth announces his retirement:
“Shout it from the mountains. I'm a Toulon player, let me stay here.”
Give him a pen and something to sign because Lewis Ludlam is not going anywhere: