1
All Blacks address how Rieko Ioane behaved at full time versus Ireland
By Ian Cameron
The All Blacks have addressed Rieko Ioane’s heated exchange with Johnny Sexton and ear-cupping antics following the final whistle being blown in their quarter-final win over Ireland.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sexton, who had been involved in verbal exchanges with New Zealand players during last year’s series win in New Zealand, appeared to take exception to something said by Ioane as players shook hands.
Sexton, who could be seen mouthing expletives towards the All Blacks centre, shortly after Ioane said something to the retiring Ireland captain.
Sexton had to be held back by Jack Conan after Ioane apparently told him to “enjoy retirement” and “not to miss his flight home”. It is understood that other New Zealand players – who had made no bones about wanting revenge – had some choice words for the dejected Irish players.
Head coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane were asked about the exchanges and the fact that Ioane appeared to cup his ear to the Irish crowd, indicating that they were no longer singing.
“It happens on most sporting parks when tensions are high and a lot at stake,” said Foster. “Unfortunately, recently it’s also included players saying a few things to referees. Is it right for the game? I don’t know.
“It’s always been there. It’s highly competitive. You don’t hear a lot of players complaining about it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
All Blacks captain Sam Cane, who was on the receiving end of some choice words from Peter O’Mahony last year during Ireland’s series win on NZ soil, also gave his take on it.
“It’s players’ different personalities and emotions running high in those moments. There’s always people who have different tactics but it’s always just left out there.”
It was clear that the win meant a great deal to the All Blacks, which is maybe the biggest compliment that they could pay to the Irish.
“That was the most proud All Blacks performance I’ve been part of,” said scrumhalf Aaron Smith. “The build-up, the emotion, the game, the spectacle itself. It felt like that game went on for two days, that second-half felt like forever. But it was so much fun and intensity and two teams just not giving up.
ADVERTISEMENT
“For our boys to really control that last 10 minutes was the most proud moment. Then to defend 37 phases, stay onside, not to give them an opportunity and for one of our senior players to nail the moment was pretty special.
“Then you look at the other quarter-final, what a game as well. That’s the beauty of this World Cup. It’s been a spectacle the whole way. The French public, the stadiums, the weather. As a player you appreciate how much has gone into this tournament and to still be a part of it is such a blessing. As players it’s your opportunity to make sure you prepare and give it absolutely everything each day for when you get a chance to play.
“We are lucky enough to have another opportunity this weekend and we want to be better than we were last week.”
Always strange to me how AB fans complain about opposition players talking to the ref or fans singing over the haka…but are perfectly fine with have two players who've assaulted women on the team. Weird priorities
I’m not sure why the ABs needed to address anything about Ioane.
He wasn’t the one throwing a tantrum at full time.
Let’s all Just move on and accept that Johnny Sexshop is a “you-know-what”.
I've read through the comments. There is a bit of a backstory between Sexton's 3 match ban. O’Gara the opposition coach had been pulling strokes during the championship going into the ref’s dressing rooms for a chat at half time. So there is an element of history there. As regards sledging, I don't like it, players aren't saints but there is for the most part an understanding and things get done on the pitch, then left on the pitch. Regarding Ioane, I think he's fundamentally a scumbag and has few redeeming qualities as a person. The little Instagram gesture he posted then deleted to the fans in the dressing room underlines it. I lived in New Zealand in 2010/2011. I was very excited to see the All Black's, the running high tempo rugby, the haka etc. I came home detesting the whole bull**** that goes on regarding the team with a passion. If there's a defining characteristic of the brand and the domestic media that surrounds it it's spite. Which is illustrated by all the keyboard warriors who will pop up. When I lived in there, there was a Fatwa against Wayne Barnes which has continued to this day, Quade Cooper was crucified in the press for punching Richie McCaw. McCaw was a world class player, but he did play to the letter of the law, and was very sneaky in the breakdown. Bring up Tana Umaga potentially wrecking Brian O’Driscoll’s career and the default response was that he was either a whiner, or he can't take a tackle, or he disrespected the Haka. The results against France in 2007 and 1999 were solely the result of cheating by the French and ref collusion. Every result be it a world cup or tri nations that didn't go their way was down to a grand series of conspiracies. I dip in and out of the media in the country as it is a beautiful country with a lot of nice people. Apparently this Irish team were arrogant according to The NZ herald, based on an interview Sexton said about it being a huge game but one they could win, which realistically is a fair comment. Doesn't matter, the 3 minutes hate kicked in and the North Korean levels of propaganda went into overdrive and the Irish are the latest dragon to be slain by the righteous AB’s. Regarding the Haka, it's supposed to be a challenge, so don't be surprised if others challenge you back. Defining what constitutes “Dusruspucktin the Haka Aye” is like trying to grab oil, as the boundaries as to what defines disrespecting are constantly shifting. I hope the Boks win the cup. The thing about the Boks is they're essentially dicks, but unapologetic dicks. They're tough, skilful, and they play cynically when they can. But they don't qualify their behaviour with knee jerk moralism. The AB’s have a constant need to be cosseted and deferred to. The Boks are dicks, the AB’s are divas. To be honest they are a very good team, but they're the Amber Heard of international Rugby
Just a note to self Johnny .. remember a short while ago you got a three match ban for mouthing off .. it happens doesn't it.
Holy crap, I just discovered the BLOCK button. This is a great day.
This isn’t even about rugby anymore.
The QF between Ireland and NZ goes down as a bloody great game, one of the best matches this RWC tournament, hell one of the best in last 12 months. Will it be remembered for all the bs after the final whistle blew. Hope not
It's not like he told Sexton he's just a shit Dan Carter is it?
You don’t hear a lot of players complaining about it.
Poor by the author to try and hide Ioane’s mocking gesture to the Irish supporters behind a another hit piece against Sexton.
A legend of the game. You’ve had a stellar career, Johnny. Thank you for all the battles over the years
A question for the author:
<<Does Foster believe that only NZ players should be allowed to antagonize opposition supporters or is he backing the principle that opposition supporters being mocked by winning players is now acceptable in Rugby?>>
Does Foster believe that only NZ players should be allowed to antagonize opposition supporters or is he backing the principle that opposition supporters being mocked by winning players is now acceptable in Rugby Union?