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Gordon D'Arcy blasts 'patronising' All Blacks following Coles on-field snipe

Dane Coles and Sam Cane. (Photo by Chris Symes/Photosport)

Former Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy has blasted the All Blacks, who he described as ‘patronising’ following their defeat to Ireland last weekend.

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Ireland dominated from start to finish to beat New Zealand 29-20 at the Aviva Stadium to make it three wins from the sides’ last five meetings with another superb performance against the All Blacks.

However, one comment made by an All Black during the game about Johnny Sexton has left a sour taste in the mouth for some, not least former Ireland and Leinster midfielder D’Arcy.

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The 41-year-old’s comments are in response to ref mic audio of New Zealand’s Dane Coles, whose colourful language about Sexton has been doing the rounds on social media.

Coles can be heard referring to Sexton, saying ‘**** he’s a mouthy ****’, to match day referee Luke Pearce, who tells him ‘careful now’.

D’Arcy wrote that the comment from Coles – who won his 80th All Blacks cap against France in Paris this weekend – was not a surprise.

He wrote: “Having played NZ a lot in my career, I gotta say Dane Coles comments about Johnny are unsurprising.

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“In my experience NZ players are for the most part patronising on the pitch when they win and good to see they’re continuing to reflect that when they lose,” before adding “Allez le bleus.”

D’Arcy came close but never succeeded in beating the All Blacks in his 16-year-long career, retiring a season before Ireland’s inaugural victory over the men in black which came in Chicago in 2016. The Wexford born back – who has kept half a foot in rugby through his punditry work – is Irish rugby’s longest-serving international of all time and won 82 caps for Ireland and 261 for Leinster in a decorated career.

An hour and half after his comments New Zealand fell to their second successive loss of the Autumn Nations Series, against France at Stade de France. An electric performance from the French was enough to hold back the All Blacks, sewing up the match 40 – 25.

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Comments

28 Comments
L
Lmaris 1090 days ago

This is pretty much a case of the bra calling the pants pink.

D
Declan 1090 days ago

And Perenara never moans about anything to the ref!!????😂😂

J
John 1091 days ago

Id say that the All blacks are one of the least patronizing top rugby teams. If you didnt know already. In NZ, being considered too cocky or outspoken is not acceptable. Compare the amount of referee harassing from the likes of South African and Ireland youd almost never see that in NZ to that extent.

D
Daniel 1091 days ago

At least the Irish are griping about something new now. (O’Driscoll - Nonu - Head)

Rugby-ism as a culture is rather patronising so you’ve hit the nail on the head where we can improve as a code.

G
Geoff 1091 days ago

In fairness to Coles he is right in that Sexton is a mouthy cunt on the pitch. So much so that he is likely to get reprimanded very soon for being in a refs ear all day. I am sure it has been talked about post-match in the Officials' debrief. That said, Coles is a weasel, always in for off-the-ball action, would love to know his yellow card stats. And he has a mouth on him too to match his pace. So basically Allblack pot calling the kettle Black.

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Jo 1091 days ago

Co-refereeing games and milking yellow cards you don't see in NZ, Aus and SA. Just saying..... maybe its ingrained as a kid in Britain from watching the 'theatre' that plays out on soccer pitches.

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GARTH 1091 days ago

I agree with you coles is a mouthy and a bad temperament at times, lm a kiwi and follow the ABs He needs to shut his mouth and do the job of a hooker instead of popping up in the back line more often than the forwards.

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Greg 1094 days ago

Who is Gordon D'arcy?!

P
Peter 1094 days ago

Coles is a measly mouth ..been like that for long.

C
Chris 1095 days ago

I don't get that attitude, Sexton was very respectful throughout.

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