RIEKO Ioane has clapped back at former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton after New Zealand’s 23-13 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
New Zealand went back-to-back over the Irish as they handed Andy Farrell just his second home defeat as head coach since 2020, bringing a 19-game winning streak at the Aviva Stadium to an end.
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Ioane embraced his role as the pantomine villain on FridayCredit: riekoioane_/Instagram
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Ioane silencing the haters alongside future Leinster player Jordie BarrettCredit: riekoioane_/Instagram
The All Blacks midfielder, who led the Haka for the first time on Friday night against Ireland, took to social media again after the match to take another swipe at Sexton.
Ioane posted several pictures of him during the game and one of Heath Ledger’s Joker with the caption: “Put that in the book”.
The 27-year-old was public enemy number one on Friday evening as he was booed each time he appeared on the big screen.
The stadium also went berserk when his opposing centre Garry Ringrose landed a mighty shot on him during the first half.
Much of the build-up to the match was centred around the events that unfolded in France last year after New Zealand ended Ireland’s hopes of a first-ever World Cup semi-final with a 28-24 victory.
After that crushing defeat, which was also Sexton’s final match before retirement, Ioane decided to give the Irish legend a parting message which the Ireland fly-half revealed in his book Obsession.
Sexton wrote: “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.”
“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.
All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke performed a rousing Haka in a Norwich pub
“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***.’
Sexton’s telling of the events after the final whistle caused a stir ahead of the rematch between the two sides with Ioane adding further fuel to the fire with a post on his Instagram story in response.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Ioane bookended the feud by saying: “Feelings got hurt, stuff was said, but look, I’m just here to play footy and win games.”
New Zealand continue their northern tour with a clash against France at the Stade de France next week while Ireland will look to bounce back against Argentina.
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