The fly-half and captain of Ireland looked his age (38) against the All Blacks. Making a copy transparent. Frustrated by this new failure in the quarter-final, he let his dark side take over, attacking the referee and a New Zealand opponent.
At the Stade de France
The video is making the rounds on social networks and is heartbreaking. Ireland has just been eliminated, Jonathan Sexton bows out at 38 and his son says to him, with a look full of love and admiration: “you are always the best dad.» The usher, stunned, stares into space. He must digest the disillusionment. Terrible. Another failure for the XV du Trèfle. Once again the men in green did not overcome the pitfall of the quarter-final. Their glass ceiling.
So much for Doctor Johnny. Because his immense career which suddenly ended does not excuse the return of Mister Sexton. After the final whistle, he was seen insulting New Zealand center Rieko Ioane. For a few words that one easily imagines unkind.
Above all, the Anglo-Saxon press also caught him yelling at Wayne Barnes, the English referee. On his lips they read “fucking cunt» which we will simply translate as “dirty c…“. His detestable character had come to the fore again. Like last spring, when he insulted the La Rochelle-Leinster referee and the Maritimes coach, Ronan O’Gara. Which earned him a long suspension.
Johnny Sexton, XXL winners but very high opinion of himself, therefore slipped up, one last time. Anger to release frustration. Maybe after him too. At 38 years old, he was transparent during this high-intensity meeting. Content to make small passes between his 9 and his forwards. 73 in total. Almost as much as his scrum half Gibson-Park. A stat which says everything about its little influence on the match. A single (!) race with the ball in hand for 6 short meters gained, but not a breakthrough, not a decisive kick to cross the black wall.
By demanding to remain the irremovable 10 for more than fifteen years, he also contributed to the fall of his team.
These failed farewells should not tarnish his good years, his XXL track record: 4 Champions Cup, 4 Six Nations Tournament (including two Grand Slams), two participations in Lions tours, a title of best player in the world in 2018, the best scorer in the history of the Irish XV (among others).
But by establishing himself as the boss of Clover, by demanding to remain the irremovable 10 for more than fifteen years, he also contributed to the fall of his team. Four eliminations in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and no succession behind him. Scorched earth. Never was the opportunity to compete with him given to another Irish fly-half…
A living myth therefore bowed out this Saturday evening at the Stade de France. The swan song for the player with 118 caps who suffered the weight of the years and a season disrupted by injuries and his suspension. We saw him doing a few races in slow motion, his back even more bent than usual. An old man among warriors and rockets. To the point of feeling sorry for him. Slow and uninspired. Far from his best level. The distinguished scorer even missed a penalty almost in front of the posts on the hour mark…
“I’m very proud of the guys, of the whole country. This band, these fans, I’m so disgusted that I can’t give them better.»
This failed outing did not prevent Ireland coach Andy Farrell from saluting him. “I can’t do it justice in a few words. Above all, he is an exceptional human being. He is probably the best player in the history of Irish rugby.» At his side, head bowed, the person concerned did not raise his head. Avoiding dwelling on his performance, the captain spoke of his teammates, of the tens of thousands of supporters present at the Stade de France, of a country mortified to see their favorites fail again, they who advanced strongly a streak of 17 consecutive victories.
“I’m very proud of the guys, of the whole country. This group, these fans, I’m so disgusted not to be able to offer them better… Thanks to them. I am proud to be Irish when I see everything they have done to support us. Unfortunately we couldn’t give them another week but this team is huge. I have never known a team like this. We will definitely see them again.»
With lip service, he then tried to identify the reasons for this defeat (24-28). “We couldn’t have done better really. In the end, it comes down to next to nothing. They sneaked a few shots at us. We knew we were facing an excellent team and, unfortunately, we just missed. You have to work hard to make fairy tales come true. We failed, but that’s life. We left no stone unturned, we ticked all the boxes, we gave 100% and we played really well tonight. It comes down to a few decisions, a rebound… Congratulations to the All Blacks. But we had a great match, it’s pride that comes first.»
The All Blacks respectfully greeted Johnny Sexton as he left the Stade de France pitch accompanied by his son on Saturday evening. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
As for him, he will take a step back from now on. “In recent years, I have experienced the best moments of my career, especially with Faz (Andy Farrell, Editor’s note) and this team. I thank life. At 38, it’s normal to have ups and downs. I will think about the future over the next few weeks but now I am going to enjoy my family.» And finally hug tightly the little boy who tried to console his dad. The best in the world. Ultimately the most beautiful title.