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The 'pinch of salt' Sexton reaction to Leinster beating Toulouse
Player of the game Johnny Sexton wasn’t shouting in celebration from the Aviva Stadium rooftop after Leinster had blasted past Toulouse in Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final. The veteran out-half had inspired his team to a comfortable 40-17 win, scoring 15 points with the boot and giving the assist for two of the four tries.
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It meant that the reigning champions had been brilliantly dethroned, their hopes and ambitions of collecting their sixth star in the May 28 final in Marseille shattered on a sunny Dublin day. But Sexton wasn’t inclined to get caught up in the hoopla generated by the boisterous Leinster support in the bumper 42,076 attendance.
Instead, foremost in his mind was how the French outfit had been in the same Irish stadium last weekend seeing out a 100-minute thriller versus Munster, an escapade that had to have a level of wear and tear on Toulouse.
Sexton was also conscious that the job was by no means yet done for Leinster, that this was only a semi-final and bad memories still lingered from their defeat in the 2019 showpiece by Saracens in Newcastle.
“It was good, we did some really good things,” he initially enthused before proceeding to slap on the breaks and dispel the mood in the media room that this was a time to party, that Toulouse had been sent impressively packing.
“I just said to the guys outside when I did interviews that what I was most pleased about was that we didn’t let the mistakes faze us, going 7-3 down when we were dominating the first few minutes. We didn’t let it get on top of us and we just bounced back. How we came back from the bad moments was most pleasing.
“We did some good things and we built on last week’s performance. We just dug in last week (at Leicester in the quarter-finals). It wasn’t great in terms of how we used the ball but we built on it and we need to be better in the final because, at the end of the day, Toulouse played 100 minutes, had to travel home, had to travel back here again, so we have to take it with a pinch of salt. We don’t just want to get to the final, we want to win it – so we have achieved nothing yet.”
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That prompted a request for his thoughts on the lingering frustration from the final of three years ago, an afternoon where Leinster looked poised heading towards the break to win their fifth title only to throw it all way and allow Saracens to take the spoils.
“Small margins: 10-3 up just before half time, I made a decision to box kick, last play of the half, could have kicked it out and it would have been half time, but we wanted to go and try and put pressure on Sarries and get another score. We conceded and it was 10-all at halftime.
“We let that get to us that day, came out after halftime, had a couple of chances to score, a couple of decisions went against and that is the game – they score and we are chasing the game against a team that loves when you chase. So very small margins and that is what you love in these finals, semi-finals.
“That is something you need to work hard to make sure you are on the right side to win them because it is about the preparation and know-how and we need to use positive experiences. We have been a champion team before but we also have the Saracens final, what we could do better.
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“You’d love to go back but in sport you don’t get the chance but now we have another chance. I never thought I’d get another chance and it’s great. We’re so driven to put the fifth star on the jersey. Every single person in the dressing room, whether it’s staff, guys who were playing, guys who weren’t playing, everyone is really driven. It’s a special environment to be a part of.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments