Johnny Sexton was asked how he rates current All Blacks team

Ireland standoff Johnny Sexton was asked how he rated this crop of All Blacks, who have shipped their fair share of criticism over the course of the last 18 months, and he gave a fascinating response.

The New Zealanders did enough to derail the Irish rugby juggernaut, a 28-24 win ending the men in green’s tournament once again at the quarter-final hurdle.

Ian Foster’s men disposed of what has become their bete noir in recent seasons in a rollercoaster arm wrestle, a victory that has also sent Irish icon Sexton into retirement.

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Sexton – who was spotted shaking hands with 2022 verbal sparring partner Dane Coles – was asked for his opinion of the current All Blacks side, one which he has faced on multiple occasions.

“The All Blacks judge themselves on winning World Cups, don’t they? So time will tell how good this team is,” said Sexton in the post-match press conference at the Stade de France.

“Time will tell but they’ve got some outstanding players, they’re well coached. Obviously, improved a lot since Joe (Schmidt, assistant coach) and (Jason) Ryan has gone in as forwards coach.

“They are clearly on the up, they’ve got Argentina in the semis, so probably likely [be] in the finals and then anything can happen. It will be gutting watching it.

“I thought we had them a couple of times [in the final phases]. To concede the turnover when we were so close to the line was gutting. They scramble so hard for each other.

“To go through that many phases shows what this group is made of, but it’s gutting we couldn’t finish it off. We left it all out there.”

Sexton, it seems is withholding his judgement on just how good this New Zealand vintage is, even if the respect is clearly there for the men in black.

In turn New Zealand captain Sam Cane had some words for Sexton, who he clearly holds in high regard.

“He has been massively successful for Ireland. It is hard to say a lot about other players because there have been many players we have had to say goodbye to.

“We know how much it hurts but when we reflect on his career, we see how great he has been for Ireland. He is great at decision making and he plays an outstanding game and the fact that he has been playing at this level proves it. Congratulations on his outstanding career.”