The best of the quotes from players and coaches on the opening day of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009...
“Our first target was to come out, win our first game and show everyone we can play this game. Now we want to take every game as it is and come out flying. We really feel we have the ability to surprise them and then we will beat Japan hopefully.”
- Canada try scorer Ciaran Hearn reveals his side's motivation.
“I feel embarrassed and hugely disappointed. That’s not acceptable for
any Scotland team. Credit to Canada, they ran hard and challenged us
but we didn’t turn up at all. I'm sure there will be some battered
bodies in their changing room but there are none in mine because they
didn’t work hard enough."
- Gemmell's honest appraisal of his team's 33-14 defeat by Canada.
"He keeps improving and I really wonder when he is going to stop. He keeps shocking everyone with tries all over the place. You need to keep an eye on him because there are more tries to come form him.”
- Kenya captain Humphrey Kayange sings the praises of his team-mate Collins Injera, who scored a hat-trick in his side's victory over Tunisia.
“I think we won the game but I think we came off the field not a happy team. I think we made too many mistakes, too many missed tackles."
- South Africa coach Paul Treu is less than upbeat about his team's 26-5 win over Japan.
"The last-minute try was something that gives us energy for tomorrow."
- Japan assistant coach Kensuke Iwabuchi on them scoring a try on day one.
"Miracles sometimes happen. The last two tournaments we played, in Dubai and in George, we didn't have some of our important players. Now we are all here and I believe anything can happen."
- Georgia captain Georgi Shkinin isn't writing off his team's chances of upsetting France on Friday after they made Fiji work hard for a 26-10 win.
"I wasn't aware of that but that is a good privilege to have - great."
- Paul Grant on scoring the try that took New Zealand past the 1,000-point mark, making them the first team to reach this milestone in RWC Sevens history.
"I feel very proud of what I have done today, especially my three tries."
- Rupena Levasa on his performance in Samoa's defeat of Ireland.
"It's a pleasing start to get a win first and foremost. It has been a long week. The boys have been a bit on edge but thankfully we have got on the field and scored a few points and most importantly we won the game."
- Wales coach Paul John on the relief of making a winning start.
