The topic dominating rugby union this week is the reignited feud between Ireland legend Johnny Sexton and Rieko Ioane of New Zealand.
It all stems from an incident right at the back end of last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final where the All Blacks bundled the Irish out of the tournament, resulting in some strong words being shared between the two.
Reignited
The situation had blown over – or at least that’s what we thought – until an extract from Sexton’s autobiography, Obsessed, dropped this week well and truly stoked the fire.
“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,’” Sexton wrote.
“‘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.”
‘In your head’ – Rieko Ioane taunts Johnny Sexton as All Blacks star brutally hits back at Ireland legend
Ioane has since responded with a story on Instagram picturing the moment combined with ‘Zombie’ by the Cranberries as the audio – a song which was Ireland’s fan anthem at the tournament.
Former All Black Israel Dagg has also entered the debate with a heated response to Sexton.
Selling books
Of course, this had the fans in our comments going with some feeling that Sexton is just trying to pique interest before the book launch next week.
A user called Murph wrote, “Sexton going for Christmas book sales. I’m Irish. While it’s sh**housery, pot kettle black. Sexton can’t give out such abuse and not expect it back.”
Another reiterated that with, “Mission accomplished. The book will sell.”
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Show of arrogance
Other readers felt it was a show of Sexton’s arrogance and let their feelings be known.
“There is no team more self-righteous than the Irish. Interesting to note that they love to dish out the sledges but simply cannot take it themselves. Like little schoolboy bullies when the tables turn,” the Guru Guru commented.
Matthias Doppenschmied certainly didn’t hold back, writing: “Sexton, easily one of the most disrespectful Players in Rugby. Loud and foul-mouthed a real disgrace to Rugby and his Country! Should never have been allowed to play in RWC ’23 after his vile actions against the Match Officials! What made it worse was that he wasn’t even part of the Match-day Team! An absolute entitled Tool! Well, tanking and running out of steam in the latter stages of the Quarter Final and possibly costing Ireland the Game seems like justice served!”
Some defence for Sexton
There was some defence for Sexton as Gary Stewart hit out at both Dagg and Ioane.
“Of course Dagg would side with Reiko, two peas in a pod,” he wrote.
The debate will only continue to rage as more gets revealed once Sexton’s book is released on October 10.
READ MORE: Johnny Sexton’s ex-teammate hits out at ‘as low as you can get’ Rieko Ioane comments
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