‘I do care’: Johnny Sexton responds to Rieko Ioane’s Instagram story
Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has responded to Rieko Ioane’s Instagram story that reignited the perceived feud between the pair once again. Ioane recently took to social media in an effort to hit back at an extract from Sexton’s soon-to-be-released autobiography.
In the passage that was released by The Sunday Times, Sexton reflected on an exchange between the pair after last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Stade de France. New Zealand had just knocked Ireland out of the Cup with a 28-24 win.
Ireland’s dream of winning the Rugby World Cup for the first time was shattered, and Sexton’s distinguished rugby career also came to a close. While the match is considered one of the best knockout Tests in World Cup history, there was also some post-match controversy.
As the emotion of the occasion continued to course through the players’ veins, and as the significance of the result began to sink in, Sexton and Ioane were seen sharing words not long after Sam Whitelock secured a match-winning breakdown penalty.
But, it remained a mystery as to what exactly was allegedly said until recently.
“I couldn’t bring myself to watch the quarter-final back,” Sexton wrote in his autobiography. “I don’t think I ever will. I don’t need to. I’ve mentally replayed every second, over and over. It finishes the same way every time.
“… After (referee) Wayne Barnes blows the final whistle, (Ioane) says, ‘Don’t miss your flight home tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c**t.’ So much for the All Blacks’ famous ‘no dickheads’ policy. So much for their humility.
“I walk after Ioane and call him a fake-humble f***er. I don’t look great, me having a go at one of them just after we’ve lost. But I can’t be expected to ignore that.”
Ioane didn’t respond right away, but once the All Black did, the rugby world took notice. The 27-year-old shared a picture of himself and Sexton after last year’s quarter-final, with a joker card above his head and a house emoji below the now-retired Sexton.
But, that wasn’t all.
Zombie by the Cranberries became an anthem for Irish rugby fans during the World Cup, and Ioane used that to his advantage in this post. That very tune played over the image of Ioane and Sexton, with the song starting at the “in your head” part of the chorus.
Ioane’s reaction and the subsequent response from rugby fans around the world has been massive. It’s been a big talking point over the last week, and it certainly sets the stage for the All Blacks' clash with Ireland in one month.
@bbcsport Johnny Sexton has responded to Rieko Ioane’s social media post. 😬👀 #rugby #fightingtalk #ireland #irelandtiktok #socialmedia #johnnysexton #irelandrugby #irishtiktok #oops ? original sound - BBC Sport
But, Sexton was just trying to “protect” himself.
“I do care, like I do care,” Sexton said on BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.
“But the most important is you, like you said, your teammates or the people in your country.
“I was a bit shocked by the reaction to that because I toyed with taking it out, putting it in, but the reason I put it in was not giving out like, this is just what happened.
“A certain part of me was just trying to protect because I got criticised after the game for my reaction, because people thought, ‘Oh, here’s your man being a sore loser again.’ But they didn’t see what set me off.
“It was just me explaining why.
“I remember texting Joe (Schmidt) after the game and I said, ‘Look, I know it looked bad me chasing your man after the final whistle but this is what happened, I’m sorry for my reaction.’
“That’s the only reason I put it in. I didn’t do it to kick things off… I don’t really mind that it happened, you know what I mean, this is just why I reacted.
“That’s why, through the book really, it’s sort of just explaining at that moment, this is what I thought.”
Latest Comments
One dead rubber home-game against the 10th best team in the World is scant evidence to judge Barrett's proficiency at 10.
The real test will come against the big three of the north, not just for Barrett but other players will be put under pressure unlike they experienced against Aussie.
Historically Barrett was a fine 10 against most teams, but struggled against the very top sides who could expose his weaknesses.
We can trace Barrett's woes at pivot all the way back to 2016, when Andy Farrell's rush defence caused him no end of troubles.
Too many games against our neighbours can cloud peoples judgement on some players.
I haven't seen any evidence that Barrett's character traits that get exposed under pressure have been eradicated. Unfortunately ingrained character traits are difficult to change and only come to the surface when the chips are down.
There was a reason Barrett was moved to 15 and has largely been kept there, because coaches realised he is more effective with the time and space it allows.
I'm all for it if he can demonstrate he has mastered his game under pressure against the very top sides, it would be a great story of perseverance.
But I won't be getting too excited over one performance in a game of little consequence. I fear it would be a risky move to back an aging star with a history of troubles in the decision making hot seat.
Go to commentsRugbypass must have some sort of side hustle on the revenue generated by Sextons book… why anyone outside of Ireland cares about this bloke is beyond me.. doubt he’ll sell many copies anywhere else.
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