Former Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has revealed what really went on after their Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks in 2023.
Andy Farrell’s men were ousted by New Zealand following an agonising 28-24 reversal in France as their title dreams once again ended at the last-eight stage.
It was a devastating loss for the country but particularly for the fly-half, whose career concluded at the Stade de France having previously announced that the World Cup would be his final tournament before retirement.
After the match, cameras showed an angry Sexton shouting towards the All Blacks players, with Ioane the target of his ire.
Tells all in new book
In his autobiography Obsessed, which will be released on October 10, the former playmaker addressed the game and the subsequent post-match incident with the New Zealand centre.
“I couldn’t bring myself to watch the quarter-final back. I don’t think I ever will. I don’t need to. I’ve mentally replayed every second, over and over,” Sexton wrote.
“It finishes the same way every time. Rónan Kelleher still ploughs into Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. Whitelock goes in for the poach, clearly without releasing, but somehow Wayne Barnes awards him the penalty, even though it has all happened under his nose — and it’s all over.
Johnny Sexton fumes after ‘classless’ Rieko Ioane gesture post-World Cup quarter-final
“And as I stand there, hands on hips, staring in disbelief at Barnes, Rieko Ioane still comes up to me and tells me, ‘Get back ten metres.’
“‘Huh?’
“‘Penalty,’ he says. ‘Back ten.’ And then, after Barnes blows the final whistle, he says, ‘Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c***.’
“So much for the All Blacks’ famous ‘no d***heads’ policy. So much for their humility. I walk after Ioane and call him a fake-humble f****r. It doesn’t look great, me having a go at one of them just after we’ve lost. But I can’t be expected to ignore that.”
Contrast to other All Blacks
Ioane bore the brunt of Sexton’s criticism with the ex-Ireland fly-half praising some of the All Blacks players and coaches for their reaction after the game.
While the New Zealand speedster lacked humility, according to the 39-year-old, that was not the case for other members of the squad.
“Later, I got in touch with Joe Schmidt to explain my behaviour. Joe was part of the All Blacks’ coaching team and we go back a long way. Typically, he’d been gracious in victory that night. He took time to say nice things to Luca, on the pitch, shortly after the game,” he added.
“The Barrett brothers — Beauden, Scott and Jordie — were real gentlemen, too, as was Ardie Savea, who had some lovely words of consolation for me. I appreciated that.”
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