“We’re obviously from different backgrounds . . . But the one thing all the players align on is people working hard, making sacrifices, and being committed to their tasks.” — Tomasi Cama, All Blacks Sevens head coach.
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“What really impressed us was his presence. The guy had style and loved fashion. And, yeah, we made fun of him for it. But he had panache, he had class, and sophistication.” — Sir Michael Jones on Willie Los’e.
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“For as long as anyone can remember, the team has always had a chant of ‘Sisters!’ It’s often heard before a game or at the end of the halftime huddle, but . . . there was a time when it was shouted with little meaning.” — Rikki Swannell in ‘Sevens Sisters’.
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“There are other things in the world more important than rugby. In New Zealand, that might not be true, but, in my world, being around family and friends and enjoying each other’s company is more important.” — Sir Wayne Shelford.
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“When a coach shows that he has my back, and when he treats me like family, I’ll go out on the field and do anything for him, for the brothers, for the team.” — Ardie Savea.
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“The dean of the law school, Jack Northey, said: ‘Listen here, Mr Williams. They tell me you’re bit of a rugby player, but as far as law school is concerned, you’re going to have to shape up or ship out.’” — Bryan Williams.
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“I grew up as a young Sāmoan kid watching rugby, and Bryan Williams was my idol. . . . So there we had the first Sāmoan All Black who was also a lawyer, and I thought: ‘Man! That is really something.’” — Judge Mike Mika.
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“We grew up proud of being Māori, proud of Ngāi Tuhoe and of our tīpuna.” — Tim Worrall.
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“I wonder how many of us here in Aotearoa can appreciate what life is like for most of the non-whites in South Africa. Not many, if any, as Scribe once said.”
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“In New Zealand, unlike anywhere else, South Africa’s racist sports practices have been the subject of Māori protest since the end of World War I.”
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“Israel Folau’s demise is one that I can’t fully celebrate as a gay Pasifika person.”—Seuta’afili Dr Patrick Thomsen.
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“In the rugby environment in Japan, when you’re younger, you don’t have a voice — and that’s not always ideal. I’ve always been respectful but, when it comes to rugby, if I’ve had something to say, I’ve said it.”
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