If we thought the Quilter Nations Series was going to finish in a quiet manner, then we were wrong on a number of counts after South Africa ran in 11 tries against Wales in Cardiff.
That wasn’t what people were talking about after though. No, that focus went on Springboks forward Eben Etzebeth after he was red carded for putting his thumb in the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann with a minute to go.
There were also thoughts shared after matches in Gallagher PREM Rugby and the Top 14, the United Rugby Championship (URC) welcomed its latest superstar, while another Kiwi headed home.
Oh, we also heard about the latest development from R360.
Here’s what had ATR’s ears ringing this week…
“I don’t know what I can say at this stage that won’t be controversial. It didn’t look good, and I thought it was a justified red card. How it happened and why it happened, I’m not sure. I don’t know if he was provoked, but that’s definitely not the way we want to play. The optics weren’t great.”
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus gives a franks assessment of the Etzebeth incident:
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to do that on purpose. There’s no way. If you go for an eye-gouge, you know what happens after that (red card and ban). Eben’s said sorry to the guy already. But I don’t want that to be the highlight of the day. It’s been a good day.”
The Boks captain Siya Kolisi wants us to remember the result, not the incident:
“It’s always hard to watch when you feel it’s hard to get any grip of the game. It’s disappointing to lose any game, but obviously the margin stings and it’s really raw for the group. In fairness to the group, it’s not a lack of effort, a lack of want, or a lack of trying. We just came up against a team that is way further down the track than us.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy licks his wounds after rounding off his first campaign in charge:
“I’m a bit miffed we didn’t win the second half as we started it badly by conceding two early penalties and that gave them an early opportunity to get on the scoreboard, but we managed the last 20 minutes really well. We got the outcome we wanted, five points against the top-of-the-table side and them leaving with nothing.”
Every silver cloud eh Pat Lam, after Bristol Bears take it all against Northampton Saints:
“Having Seb back and his energy back was great. He is a guy you want to build things around. He is a tough lad, and he deals with things pretty well. Seb is a massive part of it here. He is a leader and him being on the field is crucial for us.”
Gloucester DoR George Skivington knows a Seb Atkinson return = first win of the season:
“You have to know how to win even when it's ugly. This was very ugly. Our lack of discipline is costing us dearly. There's a bit of gloom in the locker room, but we mustn't forget that there are four points. We could have lost. It's been a wake-up call, and that can only do us good.”
For Castres flanker Baptiste Delaporte, beating Perpignan was all that mattered:
“We could really feel the stands starting to roar, we couldn't even hear ourselves, there was this kind of cacophony in our ears, and frankly, it was incredible, I don't even remember the play. It was so intense that I got up, everything was a blur, I just saw people happy and everyone jumping up and down.”
Clermont Auvergne wing Lucas Tauzin sent the Richter scale soaring with his last minute winner:
"Going home was to try to give myself chance to play at a World Cup and playing for the Crusaders does that for me. I’m going home to give myself the best chance to play for the All Blacks again, but I understand it’s not a given.”
Richie Mo’unga opens up about his return to the Crusaders:
“He loved his time here, partly because there was so much golf going on. He didn’t have one bad thing to say about this environment or the people here, so after hearing that, I was pretty keen to come over and to experience that as well.”
Rieko Ioane didn’t need much convincing from Jordie Barrett to head Leinster’s way:
“It took more takes than you would believe. It took a while to film – a good 20 minutes. Probably my fault, I’m not the freest mover. I’ve never really put myself out there to that extent. To see what has happened on the back of it is crazy. It’s got something like 10 million views, which is mind-blowing.”
Freddie Steward doesn’t expect an invite onto any dancing shows despite his part in the England dance quartet:
“I would hate to see the scrum depowered and the Irish players and coaches will be the same. Just because one team is brilliant in one area, why would you dumb it down rather than everyone strive to get better.”
Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman wants the scrum left as it is:
“I think I benefitted from it; I think it is a lot more diverse playing in France, there’s lots more nationalities. You can learn a lot from them, especially having assistant coaches like Joe Rokocoko and Fred Michalak, two incredible players who have only just retired. It was a risk, I had an awesome opportunity, and I took it. Whether it went how I wanted it to initially, maybe not, but I think I learnt more than I thought I would.”
Henry Arundell reflects on his time with Racing 92:
“Moving to a full season launch in 2028 will allow the series to enter the sports market at full strength, under the optimal commercial and market conditions. R360’s ambition remains to complement the rugby calendar following the inaugural Women’s Lions Tour and Men’s Rugby World Cups in 2027, creating a sustainable addition to the sport’s ecosystem.”
Another day, and we’re no closer to seeing what R360 will look like: