‘A true honour’: All Blacks rival on playing Johnny Sexton

For one last time, Richie Mo’unga will line up opposite legendary playmaker Johnny Sexton on Saturday evening. With Sexton set to retire after the World Cup, two modern-day greats will exchange blows for the last time when the All Blacks take on Ireland.

Mo’unga has led the champion Crusaders to seven Super Rugby titles in as many years and is more than deserving of the ‘undisputed’ moniker as the best fly-half in southern hemisphere rugby.

But Sexton is a legend – he might even be the best ever if the Irish captain hoists the Webb Ellis Cup in triumph later this month. Sexton is now the top point scorer in Irish rugby history and has played an integral role in their incredible 17 Test unbeaten run.

Before a ball is kicked and the pair become warriors again for 80 exhilarating minutes in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final in Paris, Mo’unga was full of praise for his rugby rival.

Mo’unga credited Sexton for redefining “what it’s like to play as a first-five” throughout an incredible career both for Leinster and in the coveted green jersey.

“Johnny is all class, he’s world-class. He’s a true director of his team. Everything goes through Johnny,” Mo’unga told reporters.

“The way he’s able to play and be so consistent at the top level, he’s really transcended what it’s like to play as a first-five, fly-half.

“Yeah, it’s just a true honour and privilege to match up against him. It’s really cool. For someone from the other side of the world, it’s really exciting.”

It’s taken a while but Mo’unga is finally playing with the confidence, skill and exuberance that New Zealand rugby fans have come to expect from the pivot with the Crusaders.

Paired in a dual-playmaker system with fullback Beauden Barrett, the duo have showcased their incredible potential as a duo in the past. But Ireland will be a “huge task.”

“It starts up front, ball carrying and momentum, winning the speed of the ruck, making that ball as quick as we can.

"We've got to play eyes-up footy but do the basics really well to challenge these guys. If we can do that, we can get inroads and hopefully get awarded some penalties around the ruck."