Play nzherald.co.nz's rugby Pick the Score competition - go to: pickthescore.nzherald.co.nz
SuperSport finds the best sporting quotes of the week:
"We've tried lots of things with medical people but we can't get to the bottom of it."
Kiwi triathlete Kieran Doe, who is suffering 'stomach and bowel' problems, shows the double entendre is alive and well in endurance sports.
* * *
"Last year at the IPL it was such a circus feeling, and the fanfare was amazing, that you almost forgot where you were. Now reality has hit home and you know that you are in the subcontinent and things that we take for granted, like safety and freedom of doing what you want to do, aren't so readily available."
Kiwi allrounder Jacob Oram on the rapidly changing face of cricket.
* * *
"I've got to be honest, it's never dull at this club. There's always something going on. It's either in turmoil or they're playing out of their skins and getting into Europe. It's a bizarre place, but I'm very happy to be here and it's great to be a part of it."
Portsmouth's beanpole striker Peter Crouch on the joys of winning the FA Cup one year and slugging it out in a relegation scrap the next.
* * *
"We've talked about it, we've worked on it in training, we've looked at videos, we've spoken to officials, but we're not getting it right. I would [find it peculiar] if it had stood out from the norm, but it didn't, did it? The fact that I don't find it peculiar is the most damning indictment of all."
England captain Steve Borthwick after their 14-13 loss to Ireland at the weekend. The Poms have had 10 yellow cards in four matches - making it 20 per cent more trips to the sinbin than trips to the tryline for the Red Rose. At least they're no longer blaming the refs.
* * *
"Australian teams have been able to wear their arrogance justifiably, based on their results and talent, for over a decade, but now is the time for humility."
South African sports writer Neil Manthorp on the arrogance of the Australian cricket team.
* * *
"Clearly the Champions' League is the best option we have now [for a trophy]. Second [in the Premier League] would still be an achievement."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez acknowledges that he's blown it, without quite acknowledging that he's blown it.