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Ireland boss Andy Farrell admits it 'is the end for this team'

By PA
Tadhg Beirne - PA

Andy Farrell believes the inspirational spirit of outgoing captain Johnny Sexton can help Ireland return to challenge on the biggest stage after another agonising World Cup exit marked the end of an era.

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Ireland suffered elimination following Saturday evening’s tense 28-24 defeat to New Zealand in Paris which stretched their wait for a knockout win at the tournament to 36 years and counting.

Fly-half Sexton and veteran wing Keith Earls are already confirmed to be heading for retirement, while Farrell’s 33-man squad in France contained a further 15 players aged 30 or above.

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Ireland post-match presser 14-10-2023

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    Ireland post-match presser 14-10-2023

    The head coach expects the togetherness developed during the last four-year cycle to continue regardless of potential personnel changes and feels the departing Sexton will remain a key part of that.

    “I think a lot of our group are still learning and I said to the group in the changing room the reason they’re going to keep on learning is because of this guy (Sexton) sat beside me here,” said Farrell.

    Turnovers

    4
    Turnovers Won
    7
    11
    Turnovers Lost
    3

    “The impact that he’s had on the rest of the team over the last four years has been amazing.

    “And the way that he’s conducted himself as a leader and as a player and the way that he’s shown the love of playing for Ireland will be remembered and connected to this group for many years to come.

    “Through his example, the younger guys will keep on getting better and striving to be better, there’s no doubt about that.”

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    Ireland went into a mouthwatering showdown with the All Blacks as the world’s top-ranked team and marginal favourites.

    But their remarkable 17-match winning run was halted as the Kiwis avenged last summer’s series defeat on home soil to book a last-four meeting with Argentina.

    Andy Farrell
    Andy Farrell, Head Coach of Ireland, looks dejected at full-time after their team’s loss in the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between Ireland and New Zealand at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

    Asked what gives him confidence for the future, Farrell continued: “Just knowing what we’ve got. The type of character that we’ve got, the type of people we’ve got, the type of player, staff.

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    “The hunger to want to wear the green jersey.

    “It is the end for this team because people are going to be leaving, but the competition that this team has built over the years will continue because of how it’s been driven, certainly over the last couple of years.

    “The talent that we’ve got in Ireland will continue to come through and we’ll continue to challenge, I have no doubt about that.”

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    Fine margins decided a thrilling Stade de France showdown, with New Zealand continually holding Ireland at arm’s length to lead from the eighth minute to the final whistle.

    Scores from native Kiwis Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park, plus a penalty try, kept Farrell’s men on the cusp of a stunning comeback from 13-0 down.

    Farrell had reservations about a raft of scrum penalties conceded by prop Andrew Porter, but was eager for Ireland to avoid sounding like “bitter losers”.

    “We’ve a different view to what was going on out there, but we don’t want to sit here and have sour grapes,” he said. “We want to congratulate New Zealand on a fantastic performance.

    “The scrum was part of the equation, 100 per cent, and we’ll get the answers. Andrew 100 per cent was very frustrated with what was going on out there.

    Match Summary

    1
    Penalty Goals
    3
    3
    Tries
    3
    2
    Conversions
    2
    0
    Drop Goals
    0
    173
    Carries
    120
    7
    Line Breaks
    6
    11
    Turnovers Lost
    3
    4
    Turnovers Won
    7

    “We don’t want to be bitter losers. We want to hold our head up high and do it the right way.”

    Meanwhile, Sexton paid tribute to fellow retiree Earls, who bows out on 101 caps and second only to Brian O’Driscoll in Ireland’s all-time list of try scorers.

    “He’s a legend and one of my best mates, not just in rugby but in life,” said Sexton.

    “He’s a top-class human being. You couldn’t meet a more popular lad in the squad.

    “He’ll go down as one of the very best for sure. This group will miss him definitely.”

     

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    Comments

    19 Comments
    R
    Red and White Dynamight 581 days ago

    “the way he has conducted himself”; stopped reading.

    G
    Guy 581 days ago

    I had the feeling, when I saw Sexton play, that suddenly he had become old in one evening. He played as we recite a lesson without much conviction, simply to show that we learned it. Perhaps yesterday he was the biggest moral handicap for his team?

    s
    strachan 581 days ago

    This is such a class manager. I love his attitude and gracious by losing to the worlds best team. He knows that Ireland does not have the depth to perform as they did the last two years. I feel for him. I dont feel for a entitled disrespectful Captain like Sexton and or silly O Mahoney. Ask him about Kane LOL. The Irish tools (Certain players and Pundits alike) tarnished Irish rugby with their superior attitude. Well, they were crushed back to earth. Humble pie is sweet. First humble yourselves like AB and BOKS then try to make a semi final before trying to win a world cup. Dream big lads. You can make it in 50 years.

    N
    NE 581 days ago

    SA humble? Since the clown Erasmus took over every SA loss is accompanied by meters of press wherein Erasmus and his mini me, Nienaber, froth at the mouth and cry like babies. The once proud SA rugby team has become the laughing stock of the world (the sad, pathetic rugby dunce saffa's opinions don’t count for anything).

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