"The results of England over the last five years ... they're not producing quality players. And so everyone looks at the head coach, and [says] 'let's blame the head coach.' But the onus on producing quality players is the RFU. And that hasn't happened" -- former England Rugby manager Eddie Jones, who now coaches Australia, on the English rugby team's recent on-field struggles (BBC, 9/1).
"The opportunity to leave my fingerprint on a sport that has been very good to me, to leave my fingerprint on a team that I know has the potential to be successful, is one that comes around once in a lifetime. Simple as that" -- James Vowles, on leaving Mercedes to join Williams F1 as team principal (LONDON TIMES, 9/1).
"We won’t cop a 9:50pm kickoff, and no rugby league fan should cop a 9:50pm kickoff. We’re guaranteed a final in New Zealand, but there’s no way any stakeholder of the game would think it’s appropriate or beneficial to maintain a 7.50pm AEST timeslot" -- National Rugby League side New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George, on the prospect of his club hosting a final with a late kickoff to "accommodate a prime-time Australian television audience" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/1).
