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'They sucker-punched us' - Sexton reacts to Ireland World Cup exit
By Ian Cameron
Gutted Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has spoken of his pride in his side despite their Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of New Zealand following a titanic battle in Paris.
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Ireland have exited the sport’s flagship competition in the first game of the knockout stages yet again after suffering a 24-28 loss against the All Blacks at the Stade de France following a slow start which left the side chasing the game.
The much talked about quarter-final curse returned for the men in green, but Sexton’s first instinct was to speak of how proud he was of his teammates and of the Irish nation.
“I’m very proud of the boys, the nation, we couldn’t have done any more, it’s just fine margins. They sucker-punched us on a few tries and that’s why champion teams do. We knew they were a great side and we fell just short unfortunately.
“It’s been amazing. This six weeks has been a dream – this group, these fans and I’m just gutted we couldn’t do it for them.
“You’ve got to work hard for fairytale endings and we didn’t get it but that’s life. We left no stone unturned, we ticked every box, trained the house down, and played pretty well tonight. A few decisions, a bounce of the ball … fair play to the All Blacks.
“The last six weeks have been incredible, the support, the way we’ve played. It’s been a dream come true and that includes today.
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“They didn’t have to work hard for their tries. We were sucker-punched a couple of times, but they are a quality team.
“We had to work harder for our tries and the way we fought back was a tribute to our character.
“The last couple of years, in a green jersey anyway, have been the most enjoyable of my career.
“It’s an incredible place to be and that’s what I’ll miss. But grateful as well, sitting here at 38, I’ve had a few ups and downs.
“I’ll probably reflect on it a bit more in the next couple of weeks, spend time with my family.”
It will be Sexton’s last game of professional rugby, with the 38-year-old set to hang up his boots after a remarkable career that saw the Leinster man go from nearly being let go from his province in 2009 to becoming one of the greats of the modern game.
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Head coach Farrell was quizzed on his captain’s remarkable career immediately after the loss and the Wigan man was lost for words.
“I can’t do it justice quickly,” said Andy Farrell of Sexton. “First and foremost he’s an outstanding human being. He’s probably the best ever player to play for Ireland and when you’re 38 and playing your best rugby, it says a lot about the man.
“Two good teams going at it, fine margins and all that. At the start of the game we coughed up penalties and gave them field position and six points. I was so proud of the way we came back and kept attacking them right until the death. We’ve had a good run but sport can be cruel sometimes – I guess that’s why we love it. The way we kept battling shows the character of this side.”
Perhaps World Rugby can give a CUP to Ireland. A World Gorilla Trophy. Gold ONE. LOL one to Sexton and one to oMahoney
Nobody can complain about the result, the better team on the night won. Can’t see anybody beating the All Blacks now and even if we do get past France in the semis we’ll need a miracle to beat the AB's in the final.
Sucker punched? More like kicked in the bollocks.
The All Blacks are still the benchmark and this morning they proved why.
Ireland sucker punched themselves. why?
- Played the same squad and over-worked them Group of Death vs SA, Scotland and Tonga with no rotation- They were amazing but sadly at least 5% off their normal Irish selves.Ire should have taken the early penalty, they went for a 5m lineout and lost the ball.
A lack of KO rugby experience right there vs NZ who took 2 of their early penalties.
*Abs played like the Boks first 25min and last 30minutes, with Hard tackles, taking it to the midfield hard, lot of kicking with a solid chase. The lineout troubles continued for Ire , one of which coincidentally lead to NZ 2nd try by Ardie1st half Ireland with lots of deep kicks from their 22 with no chasers, not looking for touch..NZ just gladly ran it back with interest. Yellow card 1 -> the 1st 5min of 2nd half was the perfect opportunity for them to Blitz NZ just after the break.\n\n
- true they did have 2 cross kicks that on another day they could have been scored...but poor weighting and accuracy ...was it due to pressure?\n\n
- Hansen was the most attacking winger and when he went off at 55min..Ireland had lost a potent weapon\n\n
- PRESSURE START TO BUILD...59min pen miss BY Sexton @60min Ireland start to panic
Shortly after Johnny with the overheads kick into the packed AB mid 22 are, Ireland lose ball to a mark call by BarretComposure would have them pik n drive..perhaps gone to look for a pen or drop goal here.
- 63rd min yellow card plus Pen try
Score 24 25 ->This was set up perfectly for Ireland going into the last 15min with a man up. Ire messed up the perfect op to shift the game their wayScrum Pen given away against a weaker disabled Ab pack..Barret(a back) was in the scrum. *Connor Murray giving away the 68min pen - stupid mistake under pressure Ire try fight back BUT a miraculous Try save by Barret...74min
*PRESSURE TIME : Knock on the 50m line @ 71 min by Calen Dorris
*Ire made 1200 m in this game..absolutely insane...multi phase ball..but were to predictable trying to go wide every time. - I just felt they could have pulled the trigger with drop goals attmepts/milking pens, instead of looking for tries
An incredible last 2 minutes where they put together 37 phases trying to breach the AB defence.
*That was no sucker punch by NZ,....
The All Blacks were ruthless, more determined, more hungry at breakdown and rucks, smarter with their gameplan. They played the perfect game to stifle the Irish. NZ dominated from start to finish, to beat this Irish team while playing with effectively a man down for 20min is just mental.
Maybe he couldn’t referee well enough today….
The all blacks deserved won tonight but that is no way demoting sexton and theall time legend he is. Every player has a mediocre game. Pity it was today ut he is one of best without doubt.
Definitely the game I expected it to be kudos to both sides
Sexton an absolute legend, Farrell built a formidable team that all of Ireland can be in awe of.
The Allblacks would've broken any other side today, they've held a lot back for today's game and Ireland came incredibly close.
This world cup is wide open, Fiji will be hungry and England's got numerous issues.
Argentina are dangerous and the French will be too strong for the Boks who will be punished for dropping Faf and Pollard to the bench
He’s an incredible player who will go down as one of the all-time greats. I think he had a chance with this WC to step into the same league as Carter and Wilkinson but he failed to handle the pressure of the big occasion when it mattered.
He’ll sadly also be remembered for his terrible behaviour towards match officials. If he came from a tier-two nation there is no way it would have been tolerated to anywhere near the same degree.
One of the best tests of the decade, this World Cup is turning into a ripper!