Richie McCaw and Graham Henry face the music after not making the 2007 World Cup semi-finals

“It’s a tragic situation for a highly talented young sportsman. This was his scene really: a World Cup in New Zealand and it was going to be his big occasion … I feel very sad for him.”

– New Zealand coach Graham Henry reacts to the groin injury in training that ended fly half Dan Carter’s RWC 2011.

“The reality of this is he has had no history whatsoever of groin problems … It just happened totally out of the blue.”

– New Zealand team doctor Deb Robinson was taken by surprise by the groin injury that ended Carter’s tournament.

“It sucks. He’s a best mate. He’s a buddy on the bus and not to have him there is not really fair.”

– New Zealand second row Ali Williams is distraught over Carter’s absence.

“He wanted to let me know that he’s right behind me and I wanted to tell him how disappointed I am for him.”

– Colin Slade, who replaced Dan Carter against Canada on Sunday, tells of the text messages he exchanged with his injured teammate.

“I think Dan Carter is the best player of the world. It’s better for us not playing him but I am sad for him. I want to pay respect to him.”

– Argentina wing Juan Imhoff tips his hat to Dan Carter, although he’s not sorry the Pumas won’t have to face the injured All Black in the quarter-finals on 9 October.

“They’ll cope. They’ve got the ultimate event, for the ultimate prize, in the ultimate destination for them, playing in New Zealand. They won’t be short of volunteers.”

– Australia coach Robbie Deans, who has injury problems of his own, is a New Zealander who knows the All Blacks have the incentive and the resources to deal with the loss of Dan Carter.

“The first three weeks I was getting splinters (from the bench) so it was good to get out there.”

– Wing Zac Guildford, who scored four tries in his first RWC 2011 appearance for the All Blacks against Canada on Sunday, would rather take his chances on the field than on the bench.

“I get to kiss and cuddle my boy straight after the game.”

– All Black Piri Weepu’s mum Kura, who works as a security officer at Wellington Regional Stadium, says one of the perks of the job is being able to show how proud she is when he comes off the field – which is what she did in the tunnel straight after Sunday’s win over Canada.

“He’s shaking everybody’s hand, but I don’t think he knows what country he is in at the moment. He probably won’t have too many beers tonight.”

– Canada coach Kieran Crowley says flanker Adam Kleeberger may have to take things easy after a head knock against New Zealand on Sunday.

“We have to rest now and start to analyse the All Blacks and try to see their weakest points, if they have any.”

– Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi knows that finding flaws in the All Blacks’ line-up ahead of their 9 October quarter-final won’t be easy.

“Sides across the board are there physically now, no matter what team you’re playing. They’re all physically the same size. It’s just the skill sets that tend to differ.”

– Australia centre Berrick Barnes has clocked the progress of tier-two sides at RWC 2011.

“We won. That’s what rugby is about. It’s about winning, it’s not about being nice.”

– England prop Dan Cole, speaking after Saturday’s 16-12 victory over Scotland, is in no doubt about his priorities on the field.

“I have got experienced and talented players. But maybe not as talented as I thought.”

– France head coach Marc Lièvremont speaks his mind in the wake of Saturday’s loss to Tonga.

“It is situation normal with them. Who knows?”

– England manager Martin Johnson knows what to expect from France in their 8 October quarter-final: the unexpected.

“They have been disciplined. They went too far and she was upset and they did not realise at the time how upset she was. It just drags us all into it and that is what makes me particularly angry.”

– England manager Martin Johnson is not amused by having to discipline three of his squad for their behaviour towards a hotel worker in Dunedin.

“I think we are doing better and better, we are growing. I am just 21 years old and I will be happy to beat Argentina in the next tournament.”

– Georgia flanker Viktor Kolelishvili looks forward to having another crack at Argentina in the wake of Sunday’s 25-7 loss to the Pumas.

“We are going to grow in future and have a better result in the next World Cup. This I promise you.”

– Prop Goderdzi Shvelidze is another Georgia player looking towards RWC 2015.

“We didn’t get as much out of the game as what we put into it … The scoreline flatters them.”

– Georgia coach Richie Dixon believes his team deserved a better result against Argentina.

“Second half, no good.”

– Georgia fly half Lasha Khmaladze doesn’t waste words as he analyses the loss to Argentina on Sunday.

“I think Australia has potential and I like South Africa. I don’t think it is cut out that New Zealand will win.”

– Scotland coach Andy Robinson (above) doesn’t fancy the hot favourites for RWC 2011.

“It’s back to reality. We leave tomorrow and I’m at university on Wednesday with mid-term exams.”

– Canada wing Conor Trainor is resigned to the switch from scoring two tries against New Zealand to being just another student.