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Johnny Sexton was asked how he rates current All Blacks team
By Ian Cameron
Ireland standoff Johnny Sexton was asked how he rated this crop of All Blacks, who have shipped their fair share of criticism over the course of the last 18 months, and he gave a fascinating response.
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The New Zealanders did enough to derail the Irish rugby juggernaut, a 28-24 win ending the men in green’s tournament once again at the quarter-final hurdle.
Ian Foster’s men disposed of what has become their bete noir in recent seasons in a rollercoaster arm wrestle, a victory that has also sent Irish icon Sexton into retirement.
Sexton – who was spotted shaking hands with 2022 verbal sparring partner Dane Coles – was asked for his opinion of the current All Blacks side, one which he has faced on multiple occasions.
“The All Blacks judge themselves on winning World Cups, don’t they? So time will tell how good this team is,” said Sexton in the post-match press conference at the Stade de France.
“Time will tell but they’ve got some outstanding players, they’re well coached. Obviously, improved a lot since Joe (Schmidt, assistant coach) and (Jason) Ryan has gone in as forwards coach.
“They are clearly on the up, they’ve got Argentina in the semis, so probably likely [be] in the finals and then anything can happen. It will be gutting watching it.
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“I thought we had them a couple of times [in the final phases]. To concede the turnover when we were so close to the line was gutting. They scramble so hard for each other.
“To go through that many phases shows what this group is made of, but it’s gutting we couldn’t finish it off. We left it all out there.”
Sexton, it seems is withholding his judgement on just how good this New Zealand vintage is, even if the respect is clearly there for the men in black.
In turn New Zealand captain Sam Cane had some words for Sexton, who he clearly holds in high regard.
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“He has been massively successful for Ireland. It is hard to say a lot about other players because there have been many players we have had to say goodbye to.
“We know how much it hurts but when we reflect on his career, we see how great he has been for Ireland. He is great at decision making and he plays an outstanding game and the fact that he has been playing at this level proves it. Congratulations on his outstanding career.”
The Irish team played well. It was a tough physical game. Both teams gave thèir all. And i enjoyed watching it.
lets not forget the Irish are a great side who have taken themslves to the top of European rugby. Johnny Sexton is a great player who was able to command from his position. He could see and direct his team. His strengrh is in his discipline of his team. That is where his value truly lies. In many ways like a Grant Fox or Dan Carter. It is ungracious to say he shouldnt be in the team as you are not viewing the whole picture. It doesnt matter if he was born and raised in nz cos he may not have been picked. Look at the nzers in the irish team they werent picked for the ABs either. Never got a look in and they were noticed by Ireland scouts and offered opportunities not available to them in nz. They chose to play for Ireland.
In fairness they are the only side to beat sth africa…. The ABs didnt…. And we are likely to face them in the finals… altho a micheal cheka coached Argie side….. oooof…. The Pumas are on fire.
Is Sexton good enough to play … Yes he is.
Is he pissed off cos they lost…. who wouldnt be. The ABs have been when we lost.
and why is it ok right after the loss to ask him stupid fn questions like how do u feel…
Sexton is a class player that is underrated. Give him credit for leading a top european side and living the dream of the workd cup. We all know dreams end when we wake. And the Irúish got a rude awakening…..
Well after reading the comments I must say , I’m rather surprised by some. Let’s just put the whole thing in perspective! It’s a sports game. And as a Kiwi obviously extremely proud of our boys in Black, I dare not say, BUT they will always be the best team in the world, win or lose they have something that no other team has, South Africa the closest. It’s in our blood, we were all brought up watching the All Blacks, the loses can be felt Nation wide. We had our election the night before our game against Ireland, the next day our new Priminister turned up In an All Black jersey. It’s just in our blood.
I’m not convinced that if Sexton was a kiwi, he would ever have been picked for the ABs first XV. Maybe a backup but he doesnt have the raw skills most NZ fly half’s have had. I could see him on the bench, but I wouldn't have even picked him over Andrew Mehrtens, maybe Colin Slade, not Carlos Spencer or Dan Carter, not Mounga, not Barrett. The ABs have been magnanimous in celebrating his career. He hasn’t. Shows the difference in class.
France just joined the “New World Order” 🤣
Hey Graham how many world cup
Semis has Ireland played in??? And if not how many quarterfinals have they lost 🤣
The top ranked team in the world should have done a lot more during the quarter of the game the other lot were down to 14 men. Not good enough and very poor up front and in the lineout. NZ obviously gave some of the snide little brat's lip back to him. Referees will be glad he’s gone - feckin gobsh1te.
On another note, the lack of respect shown during the minutes silence was a disgrace to all concerned.
Na na naaa na
Na na naaa na
Hey hey hey
Goodbye 🤣
I’d like to know how Johnny rates the food on the plane home.
Can’t even be gracious in defeat and say a good thing about the team that beat them soundly. Chip on the shoulder.
He may have had a great career. But he’s no role model for sportsmanship.
I think a lot of the nz rugby community are upset that the world no longer gets on one knee bows head and shows reverence everyone the all blacks are mentioned,
Fact is that they are no longer “ the all blacks” just s team who wear black and dance in unison before each game the aura is gone ..no top tier team fears NZ any longer they are eminently beatable as matter of fact a lot of those irish players playing out there last night never lost to NZ before last night,
When a country with only 4 professional teams and a playing pool of dozens professionals can be world number one and go on 17 test unbeaten run and give NZ a humiliation in NZ own back yard well then I'm afraid times have changed, new Zealand won last night by one score by the thicknes off Barrett's finger, but no cup is coming home with the team and 26 or 27 supporters that showed commitment by traveling to support their team,..
Everyone on sexton back to take the attention off the fact that new Zealand are no longer the all blacks just another team ……
The fact that sexton has every supporter and journalist in the rugby community on his back is a testament to his great character ability longevity and if half those who judge him have achieved anything near what he has achieved in their own chosen profession I doubt they be so critical, if you want loud mouth distainable captins of recent history look no further that Fitzpatrick or McCaw I'd nearly go as far a cheats