Today's other rugby stories

Boks blowing froth

Ever wonder what goes on in the background as players prepare for World Cup matches? Well, wonder no longer. South African captain John Smit offered the following insight into what the Boks do on the day of a game. "We arrive at the stadium and then it's business as usual. From there it's iPods in and straight to the changing-room. Have a talk, then a bit more iPod. Then they (team-mates) start frothing at the mouth."

The Argentina secondrow Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe prefers a more laid back approach: "For now I'm calm. We don't need to play the match beforehand. When I've done that in the past it has ended up badly. Usually I stay in bed all day."

Little learns his lines

The injured Fiji outhalf Nicky Little was approached in Marseille by some Welsh ladies who had booked their trip to the city in the belief the Principality would be playing South Africa.

The Welsh group decided they were going to support the Pacific Island team and wanted to learn the Fijian anthem so they could sing it at the ground yesterday, so Little wrote it out for them and threw in a choir lesson as well. In return, after Little remarked the Welsh anthem was one of his favourites, the girls wrote it out in Welsh for him. Little was observed on Saturday in the team hotel lobby practising the tune.

McAlister miffed

Luke McAlister believes he didn't deserve to be sent to the sin-bin in the 46th minute of New Zealand's epic quarter-final defeat against France. The young centre was shown a yellow card for impeding France's Yannick Jauzion from chasing a chip kick.

It was the 100th yellow card issued in World Cup finals and had a huge effect on the game, McAlister having to watch as France took control.

"When they got the try it was hard to watch," he said. "I thought it was pretty harsh, to be honest. I was just holding my ground. I didn't go out of my way to take him out in any bad manner. I just held my line and he ran into me."

Quotes of the weekend

"We can't do anything about it now. It's going to hurt for a long, long time. I'm lost for words."

- New Zealand captain Richie McCaw following his side's defeat to France.

"Today we were a really brave team and when we have the spirit it's difficult to stop us."

- His French counterpart, Raphaël Ibañez.

"I think to say it was magnificent would probably be an understatement, but I can't think of a better word at the moment."

- England coach Brian Ashton after his team beat Australia.

"It's hard to say but I'm definitely going to have a beer."

- Scrumhalf George Gregan after announcing his retirement from international rugby following the Wallabies' defeat.

Greats bow out

The raw emotion of defeat to England was made all the more painful at the weekend as Australia bade farewell to two of the longest-serving and most decorated players in their history.

Stephen Larkham and George Gregan will never play for the Wallabies again, having already announced their decision to retire from Test rugby at the end of the tournament.

Defeat was a cruel end to two illustrious, record-breaking careers.

Gregan had just played his 139th and final Test and delivered a passionate address to the squad.

Larkham, sidelined by a knee injury, was reduced to tears as he joined the squad on the field after England had snatched a dramatic 12-10 victory.

"When I went out onto the pitch and just looked at the faces of some of the guys and realised that I wouldn't play with them again - that was very emotional," he said.

"The disappointment for the guys not winning is the big thing.

"But then I was thinking of myself - just the fact that I won't be able to play for Australia again. Out there on the paddock after the match, I caught George's eye and I had to go up and give him a hug. That was very difficult for me."