The Telegraph (Australia) recently compiled an exhaustive list of famous quotes from last year’s Rugby World Cup. At the end of the list, they threw in a few timeless classics.

There are a couple worth repeating:

“Four more years, boys.”

In happier times for Australia comes a cutting comment from George Gregan, the Australia rugby captain, near the end of their semi-final win over the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup as New Zealand head for yet another defeat in the global tournament.

“I’m still an amateur, of course, but I became rugby’s first millionaire five years ago.'’

Classic from a smug David Campese.

“He’s the sort of player whose brain doesn’t always know where his legs are carrying him.'’

Nick Farr-Jones on Campese.

“For an 18-month suspension, I feel I probably should have torn it off. Then at least I could say, ‘Look, I’ve returned to South Africa with the guy’s ear.’”

South Africa’s Johan le Roux after biting the ear of Kiwi Sean Fitzpatrick.

“No leadership, no ideas. Not even enough imagination to thump someone in the line-up when the ref wasn’t looking.”

J.P.R. Williams in 1984 on Wales losing 28-9 against Australia.

“We’ve lost seven of our last eight matches. Only team that we’ve beaten was Western Samoa. Good job we didn’t play the whole of Samoa.”

Welsh rugby star Gareth Davies in 1989.

“Remember that rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Jonah.”

An anonymous fax to the New Zealand rugby team in 1995 before they went out to play England - a game in which Kiwi Jonah Lomu became a rugby legend.

“In 1823, William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball in his arms and ran with it. And for the next 156 years forwards have been trying to work out why.”

Sir Tasker Watkins dryly summed up the game in 1979.

“Grandmother or tails, sir?”

To Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, Gordonstoun School’s rugby captain, for his pre-match coin-toss preference from an anonymous rugby referee in 1995.

With thanks to the Telegraph