1
'It was mad': Sexton's flashbacks of Lions tour before the chaotic swing in decider
Johnny Sexton could only watch on as All Black wing Will Jordan took him on the outside and scorched away for an electric try that threatened to derail Ireland’s hopes of a historic victory.
ADVERTISEMENT
The pivotal moment clawed the All Blacks back to within three points at 25-22, which came moments after a long range penalty attempt by Sexton which hit the crossbar.
With minutes remaining under a yellow card, Sexton’s penalty goal attempt would have extended the lead to 28-17 while Ireland were down to 14 men, instead they were forced to regroup under their own goal posts with the All Blacks taking the momentum.
“I thought I had him for pace, yeah,” Sexton joked of trying to cover the breakaway by Jordan.
“You always doubt, but you have to have the mental skills to get back into the present, the moment. It was a big swing, wasn’t it?”
The Ireland captain revealed he had thoughts swirling from the second test from the 2017 Lions tour as he lined up the goal kick, comparing the moment to England flyhalf Owen Farrell’s game-clinching penalty from that night.
“For the ball to come off the crossbar like that. It was mad, I was actually thinking about Owen’s kick against the All Blacks to tie the [Lions] series from a similar spot,” he said.
“I just felt it was an important kick, and it came off the crossbar, I was gutted.
“It was a big swing but it just shows the character of the team, to be able to come back from that.
ADVERTISEMENT
“They’re the moments in previous years against New Zealand that would’ve swung the game. They are the fine margins we would have been talking about if we lost.”
At 25-22 the All Blacks were riding a wave of momentum following Jordan’s try, but Ireland were able to pull back control following Sexton’s restart.
A short kickoff by Sexton down the middle of the field was knocked on by David Havili, handing Ireland an attacking midfield scrum 30-metres out.
Ireland ran a blindside play where Bundee Aki burst through a tight gap to take Ireland down inside the five, before an Ardie Savea indiscretion at the ruck was penalised.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sexton said the decision to kick to the corner a second time was a credit to lock James Ryan, and the decision paid off with their second maul try of the game.
“We got a penalty straight away, a big call to go for the corner again and the lads backed it up, that was James Ryan,” Sexton said of the moment.
“He was on it tonight, a couple of times we talked about going for the three and he just said ‘no, go for the corner.’
“For him to show that leadership, it was a big step for him.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments