"There's always nervous moments in the coaches' box. The tournament's been so competitive and even when you feel like you get yourself ahead a bit, everyone is playing for their lives, right?"
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika after his team reached the quarter-finals by beating Japan 39-27 in Nantes

“I think he is OK. I think he got saved by Mick Kearney, our team manager. I think Mick would have stepped in if anything had kicked off!”
Simon Easterby, Ireland's defence coach, on hooker Dan Sheehan's well-being after he was pushed over the advertising board in a fracas with the Scotland players

"I’ve got to decide what winning looks like when you are not winning. I’ve been able to give the players who come in a real bloody good experience. Even though they have lost three games, they have had the time of their lives."
Toutai Kefu, after his final match as Tonga head coach

"I've seen them singing the Cranberries (Zombie song, which has become a crowd favourite during this Rugby World Cup) - great song but hopefully they are not singing on Saturday."
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster doesn't want to be hearing tens of thousands of Ireland fans singing in celebration at the end of their quarter-final

"We came this far because of the fans' support. This time, we couldn’t get to the top of Mount Everest to bloom the cherry blossoms, but our legacy, culture, goals and dreams will be carried on to the next. I believe that Japan rugby will continue to grow."
Japan captain Kazuki Himeno after losing to Argentina in Pool C

"He is a test-match animal."
A description of back-row Sam Underhill, England's replacement for the injured Jack Willis, by the team's defence coach Kevin Sinfield

"The atmosphere that is generated before, during and after the game is fantastic. It puts our sport in such a good light. It will be remembered as a brilliant tournament."
Despite his dejection at Ireland's defeat of his Scotland team ending their campaign, head coach Gregor Townsend had only good things to say about Rugby World Cup 2023

"Obviously they’ll be shouting for France but we won’t know it, because, well, some of the guys understand French but I don’t."
South Africa number eight Jasper Wiese on the fans who will be at the quarter-final against hosts France on Sunday 15 October at Stade de France