‘I don’t care about Eddie’s mind games’

A selection of the best quotes from players and coaches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan on Thursday.

Jones: Ford’s work rate will be important

England coach Eddie Jones says he decided to bring George Ford back into their starting lineup to face the All Blacks due to the flyhalf’s work rate.

Hansen: Barrett over Cane strategic

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says the inclusion of utility forward Scott Barrett over regular openside flank Sam Cane is tactical and not based on form.

Hansen laughs off Jones’ spying comments

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has dismissed close friend Eddie Jones’ claims that England’s training session was spied on as a ‘distraction’.

Ford back at No 10 for England

England coach Eddie Jones has made one change to his starting lineup for Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks in Yokohama.

Mehrtens: England should smother ABs

Former All Black Andrew Mehrtens believes that England should adopt a simple game plan if they are to prevent New Zealand from reaching a third successive World Cup final.

Hansen: No time for mind games

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says that there is no point in getting involved in mind games ahead of Saturday’s semi-final against England.

‘Someone was filming our training’

Eddie Jones says someone was ‘definitely filming’ England’s training session on Monday, but he refuses to investigate the matter.

‘Can you imagine Ronaldo or Messi cleaning up?’

A selection of the best quotes from players, coaches and referees at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan on Monday.

Jones: No sympathy for Australia

England coach Eddie Jones feels no sympathy for his native Australia following England’s resounding quarter-final victory over the Wallabies on Saturday.