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Two ex-All Blacks fed into Sexton's decision to sign one last deal
Veteran Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is determined to “go out at the top” after revealing regrets of former players helped convince him to prolong his career until the end of the 2023 World Cup. The 2018 world player of the year intends to retire following next year’s tournament in France having ended speculation about his future by agreeing one final contract extension with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
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Leinster fly-half Sexton, who has won 103 caps for his country, will be 38 by the time of that competition and vowed to “attack the last 18 months” of his playing days. He also referenced New Zealand World Cup winners Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn as inspirational figures who excelled long after their 30th birthdays.
“I will finish at the 2023 World Cup; I’m delighted to be able to say it. I have been beating around the bush for six months, always nervous talking about the World Cup when you weren’t guaranteed to be there,” said Sexton.
“I just want to make the most of this last 18 months of my career and I want to go out at the top and that’s up to me now, to work hard and get the body and mind in the best shape possible and attack the last 18 months.
“I’m still very driven to get there and perform at the World Cup. One of the biggest factors for me was that I’d spoken to a lot of guys that have finished in the game and they have big regrets over the World Cups and I have a chance now to do that.”
Sexton, who is preparing for Saturday’s Ireland showdown against Guinness Six Nations title rivals England, said new contract negotiations were sorted in just a “couple of conversations” with the IRFU. The 36-year-old made his international debut against Fiji in November 2009 and has previously represented Ireland at three World Cups, in 2011, 2015 and 2019.“You’re always looking for different things and you dabble in different things,” he replied when asked about keeping himself in top condition.
“I’ve played with a lot of guys that went out at the top of their game. People that have won a World Cup, like Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn. I played with Brad and took a lot from him. Closer to home then, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. All these guys played to a similar age, so you take bits from all of them: Peter Stringer, Donnacha O’Callaghan.
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“It’s a long list, so it’s not like I’m the first person ever to do it. I’m just very hungry to stay in the international setup. I don’t want to go out with a whimper. I hope to keep proving my worth. I’m just delighted to keep the dream going, as they say.”
Ireland, who suffered defeat to Grand Slam-chasing France in between wins over Wales and Italy, travel to London knowing defeat will eliminate the loser from the title race. England head coach Eddie Jones has already installed the Irish as favourites for the round-four clash and, while that is a well-rehearsed tactic for the Australian, on this occasion, the bookmakers agree.
Sexton swiftly dismissed the significance of Jones’ comments as he focuses on attempting to lead Ireland to only a second Twickenham win since 2010. “We don’t really care about favourites,” he said. “It’s irrelevant really. We obviously haven’t won that many times over the years there but that’s not to say we can’t do it this time.
“It’s really down to this game and who can get their best performance out there. All our prep has been focused on doing that, realising the task that is at hand with the atmosphere that is going to hit us and the intensity that they will bring to the game, and preparing to try and play our best under severe pressure and conditions. It’s a great test for us and we’ll see if we’ve learned lessons from the French game and if we can adapt and play better in an away stadium.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
2 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
6 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
2 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
6 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
6 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to comments