Supershorts They Said It: 'We'll go to the death on this case'

Steve Hansen. Photo / Brett Phibbs

"We'll go to the death on this case. We're defending a guy whose character has been questioned when it shouldn't have been. He's a one-off, special person who hasn't got a dirty bone in his body. The guys are gutted that he can't play and, more importantly, gutted for Keven because of the man he is. Everyone knows it's not in his nature to do that: he's not a dirty player, and never has been. If he says he didn't do it, he didn't do it."
All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen goes in to bat for Keven Mealamu.

"It's a loss, but I held my head up high and proposed."
American lightweight boxer Vicente Escobedo, who picked himself up off the canvas and proposed to his girlfriend after being soundly defeated by Robert Guerrero on Sunday. She said yes.

"I think they look for victims who are not too bright. All the people who have been robbed seem to be people outside the top 10 of the grid. Maybe that's what they target, I don't know."
Formula one boss and resident nutbar Bernie Ecclestone struggles to muster sympathy for Jenson Button, who was attacked by gunmen the day before the Brazilian Grand Prix. Button, whose chances of defending his world title ended in Brazil, had qualified in 11th place for the Grand Prix.

"We're both in charge of international teams and when we lose we get a load of crap."
England coach Martin Johnson on similarities between himself and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"I'll have to handle the jokes and taunts, which is understandable, but the players shouldn't have to put up with the pressure of my ongoing presence."
Joel Monaghan on leaving the Canberra Raiders. He's right, it would be ruff on his teammates if he stayed.