The finest, funniest and most memorable rugby quotes of 2022

Jared Wright
Planet Rugby continues to round up 2022 as we put together the finest, funniest and most memorable quips, remarks and outbursts in rugby from 2022. rugby quotes of 2022 the best

Planet Rugby continues to round up 2022 as we put together the finest, funniest and most memorable quips, remarks and outbursts in rugby this past year.

How many can you recall from the Six Nations, Rugby Championship, Women’s Rugby World Cup and more?

Rugby quotes from 2022

“In my eyes, seeing the fatties dominate a scrum is just as beautiful as watching Cheslin Kolbe or Finn Russell.” (Rassie Erasmus on rugby remaining a game for all shapes and sizes, via the Daily Mail.)

“I feel sad for him [Woodward]; if that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do.” (Eddie Jones on Sir Clive Woodward’s criticism of him.)

“What will [his] legacy be? The semi-final victory over New Zealand was his best performance, but unfortunately, he will be remembered for the misguided rhetoric and unfulfilled promises. I don’t think history will remember this period of English rugby too kindly.” (Clive Woodward reacts to Eddie Jones’ sacking.)

“And I went, ‘I don’t know, I feel like Eminem in 8 Mile when he chokes on stage with his rap’. That’s how I’ve felt. Unfortunately, my international record at throwing in is now down to 50 per cent because it was at 100 per cent.” (Joe Marler on his botched lineout throw to throw to Alex Dombrandt.)

@joemarler17 Never give up, do your best 😳#SixNationsRugby #BehindtheAthlete #memories ♬ Oh No – Kreepa

“I know he’s an absolute psychopath, but when he does talk, you do listen.” (James Lowe on Jonathan Sexton on the Rugby Roots Rugby Pass podcast.)

“I believe that a cycle has been completed and, although I have the support of the UAR, it seems to me that the team is first, and I think that if I do not have more to give it, the best thing is to step aside. I am leaving what I love the most.” (Mario Ledesma steps down as Los Pumas coach in February.)

“In South Africa, I was concerned about his injury record and whether he could get through the tour, and I still probably ask myself now whether it was the right decision to leave him at home.” (Warren Gatland on whether he made the right decision not to select Sexton for the 2021 Lions Tour).

“I’m trying to think of the last bar room brawl I was in. Is it going to be like that? It’s probably a fair assumption; I quite like that. A nice clean bar brawl, though, with none of the dirty stuff. No gouging or glass throwing. Just the clean stuff. It’s going to be tasty. They are very, very aggressive at the breakdown. Ireland loves chucking numbers in there.” (Joe Marler previews the breakdown battle against Ireland in the Six Nations.)

“We deserved that; we worked so hard to get here, but this is the first step of a process we just started. It’s unreal. That last try was amazing.” (Michele Lamaro on Italy’s historic win over Wales in the Six Nations.)

“I was particularly impressed when I went to see him play against Wasps. The ball was kicked to him, and he knocked it on cold, so it wasn’t a great start. “There’s all this hoo-ha about him being a fantastic player, and he knocks the ball on cold.” (Eddie Jones on watching Henry Arundell for the first time.) 

“I love these guys; they’re my crew now. I was up on the last try, cheering. But then I started crying because I know I probably shouldn’t be doing this. It was a bit confusing for me, personally. But they’re my boys now. That’s my team. I will do everything I can to help them get success and enjoy rugby.” (Michael Cheika’s mixed emotions after a record victory over Australia.)

“There goes my hope for selection” (Danny Cipriani reacts to Eddie Jones being named Barbarians coach.)

“For the first time ever, we are all cheering for England tonight.” (Jonathan Sexton on Six Nations Super Saturday as Ireland needed England to beat France to win the Championship.)

“He’s the biggest niggler of all time. That makes me laugh. The boy from Queanbeyan who niggles everyone, complaining about niggle. That’s a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.” (Eddie Jones reacts to Nic White calling England players out for niggle.)

“Spuds, gravy, the mother’s Sunday roast.” (Tadhg Furlong on what he dreamed of after admitting that he never dreamed of captaining Ireland as a youngster.)

“Will South Africa make the Six Nations worse? Well, we might have a relapse, go back to playing attractive running rugby and be sixth in the world.” (Rassie Erasmus on South Africa joining the Six Nations.)

“One game, I managed to find out my opposition winger struggled in the turn when the kick went in behind him, and that me such a competitive advantage” (Bryan Habana advert during the Autumn Nations Series.)

“Johnny is the GOAT; he’s not going anywhere. He’s the Tom Brady of the IRFU right now. He’s not going to give up that jersey. He’s head and shoulders, and everyone else has to step up.” (Jamie Heaslip reacts to Sexton extending his IRFU contract.)

“In the weight room, I do what I have to do to be ready for the weekend, no more. I’m a rugby player, an out-half, not a bodybuilder.” (Finn Russell, via RugbyRama.)

“We are thankful to those supporters who turned up week in, week out to support the club but sorry that there were not more, nor enough of you on a regular basis to help make the club financially viable, despite the significant personal funds we put into the club. We are sorry that we did not have the foresight during the pandemic to cut back on the squad budget but instead remained committed to giving the club the best chance of being competitive. We are thankful to all of the staff that supported the club through Covid in accepting a significant reduction in their salary, but sorry that the playing squad could not accept a similar level of reduction.” (Worcester Warriors owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham’s statement in response to Ted Hill, who called for an apology from the owners after the club entered administration.)

“It was a lovely pass by Tadhg. I’m sure it will be part of his new highlights reel now, and speculation that he can play 12 for Ireland. Is he the best playmaker that we have!” (Johnny Sexton on Tadhg Furlong’s skip pass against Toulouse.)

“To get a series win probably wasn’t something you thought about as a young fella, but now there will be young fellas at home dreaming of playing for Ireland and winning over here.” (Peter O’Mahony after Ireland secured the series win over New Zealand.)

“Good enough for New Zealand, not for Italy.” (Stuart Barnes slamming the performances of Sam Cane.)

“I want to win a Rugby World Cup, but I want to win it with two different countries. I haven’t said that publicly before. I have now.” (Scott Robertson putting all Test nations on notice, announcing his international rugby ambitions.)

“I feel actually a bit this is definitely a token [the man of the match award] thing, you lot. I know your secrets. Because there were other players that were better tonight but they are not happy to talk on camera, so this is just a fraud, basically.” (Joe Marler accepting his man of the match award against Bath.)

“It means a lot now; I know in a year’s time, when the World Cup starts, it won’t mean anything, as we’ve learned before. But we’ll certainly enjoy tonight – and maybe a couple more days.” (Johnny Sexton after Ireland’s series victory over the All Blacks.)

“My whole career, I’ve looked to put the team first, and I don’t feel I am able to fulfil my responsibilities at the moment in my current mindset.” (Michael Hooper on his withdrawal from the Wallabies’ squad to look after his mental state ahead of the Rugby Championship.)

“The key for us really is to go to England now and replicate that performance against a better side.” (Japan coach Jamie Joseph’s swipe at the All Blacks his side gave New Zealanders a scare.)

‘It’s some craic! All we wanted to do tonight was play a bit of ball and, f***ing, we did that, and I am f***ing delighted!’ (Munster scrum-half Paddy Patterson after defeating South Africa ‘A’.)

“He is making it difficult for his team. It’s made us, as a rugby team, so easy to dislike” (John Smith on Rassie Erasmus’ tweets in November.)

“Once you start putting things out there on social questioning decisions, that’s not what this game is about.” (Nigel Owens on Rassie Erasmus’ tweets.)

“Sport’s cruel; sport doesn’t end the way you want it to, and unfortunately, that was us tonight.” (Sarah Hunter reacts to the defeat to the Blacks Ferns in the final.)

“We were told women’s rugby doesn’t matter. 12 years later, Eden Park’s sold out, bro.” (Ruby Tui on the trajectory of women’s game after the RWC final.)

“Alun Wyn Jones about time to retire… A good dancer knows when to leave the dance floor.” (Tendai Mtawarira on Alun Wyn Jones).

“Do you want me to speak Afrikaans?” (Julian Montoya sledge to Duhan van der Merwe.)

“Ah, they can’t sledge for s***! Whitey (Nic White) will be chirpy like always, but the rest of them aren’t very witty or smart!” (Mack Hansen on the Wallabies’ sledging.)

“It’s a disgrace to the game of rugby that a player [Nic White] can behave like that.” (Butch James on Nic White after he earned a soft penalty in the Wallabies win over South Africa.)

“You know the sacrifice that’s gone into a career, and anyone who gets up to 100 caps, they’ve shown mental strength, physical strength and resilience in both of those as well. Then you add him being my son; it’s pretty special for parents. I know for myself that when I’m coaching against Owen or working with him, it’s just work. But when you’re watching your son playing his 100th game or his first game, that’s even more daunting and even more proud and even more nervous. We are – as parents, as a family – bursting with pride with what he’s achieved.” (Andy Farrell on his son Owen reaching 100 Test caps for England.)

“It’s all about friendship and the love for Rob. I know everybody feels the same way I do about Rob Burrow. If we can all try to be a better friend from time to time, we can all have a bit of a better place to live in.” (Kevin Sinfield after completing Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge.)

“The Lions selection still drives me to this day… When it came down to the Lions selection, a few important people thought that I wasn’t the right fit for that team, and it hurt like hell.” (Johnny Sexton on the Lions 2021 snub.)

“We are best friends. We will go out for a dinner three days before we play each other in a game – but the one guy I want to smash on the field is Siya.” (Ardie Savea on his friendship with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.)

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