'It was crazy. Unprofessional': The off-field call that cost Lions

Johnny Sexton has described an off-field decision before the final British & Irish Lions Test against New Zealand in 2017 as “crazy.”

He believes Warren Gatland’s decision led to the Lions damaging their chances to win the tour outright, instead of ultimately drawing the series. He describes it as his ‘biggest regret’ of the tour.

Reflecting on the tour in his new book – Obsessed – Sexton recalled being in good form after a strong performance against the Maori All Blacks prior to the first Test. Despite this, he was dropped to the bench, with Owen Farrell starting at fly-half and Ben Te’o chosen at inside centre to counter New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams for the first Test.

Although Sexton respected the decision process, he was frustrated by the selection. He would start both the second and third Tests however, but it was their preparation for the three Test matches – the third in particular – that irked the former Ireland fly-half and his teammates.

The Sunday Times published extracts from the autobiography this weekend.

“The only thing I had an issue with was the preparation in the week of that first Test. Suddenly we were doing double sessions when I thought we should have been tapering down. I wasn’t the only one thinking this.

“It was actually unlike Gatland. What I liked about him was that he had a good sense of what players needed and wanted. I liked the way he talked, liked the buttons he pressed. I wouldn’t rate him as highly as Joe [Schmidt] or Faz [Andy Farrell] as a technical coach, but then those two are among the best ever. As a manager and a selector, I thought Gats was quality. He went up in my estimation, of course, when he picked me to start the second Test.

“Wellington was wet. We squeaked home 24–21, despite playing most of the game against fourteen men after Sonny Bill had been sent off for a high shot on Anthony Watson. Our own indiscipline didn’t help, but we did enough to show that the team operated better with myself and Owen pulling the strings. Playing with Owen was a dream for any 10. His communication and decision-making take the pressure off. We spent a lot of time rooming together and talking, so playing off each other seemed easy.

“My biggest regret about that tour was what happened after Wellington, when we had some mandatory “bonding” for a couple of days down in Queenstown. This was a bad idea and I think it reduced our chances of making history. The bonding idea took root because the 2009 Lions went on the piss in their final week in South Africa and ended up winning the final Test. Big deal. That series was already over. The Springboks picked their second-string side for the last Test.

“I was fine with having a few beers the night of the second Test, recover Sunday, organisational meeting Monday, train Tuesday, off Wednesday, light run Thursday and so on. Instead we ended up training Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because we did virtually nothing except “bond” at the start of the week. We were supposed to be preparing for a series decider against the best team in the world at Eden Park. A shot at history. It was crazy. Unprofessional.

“As a result, I don’t think those Lions maxed out on their potential, not with the athletes we had at our disposal.

“And I’m not pointing the finger solely at Gats here. I blame the senior players for not taking control of the situation and making sure we prepped properly. I include myself in that. We had enough experience in the group to speak up. I wish I’d said something.

“In the circumstances, a 15–15 draw and a tied series felt more like a win to the Lions and was certainly greeted as one by the management team. I don’t know how you can set off on tour talking about winning in New Zealand and then celebrate a draw. But there you have it.”

Obsessed, The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton is published by Penguin, Sandycove on the 10th Oct at £20/€25. Available to pre-order now