New angles have emerged in the aftermath of the match involving Ireland’s captain, Johnny Sexton, and All Blacks centre, Rieko Ioane.
The footage captures Sexton’s despondent stance after an intense 80 minutes of test rugby, while the All Blacks, including Beauden Barrett, offer him consolatory handshakes.
As Ioane approaches the Irish legend, he shakes Sexton’s hand before exchanging words with him.
As Ioane walks away, Sexton begins to shout after the All Black before approaching him and confronting the New Zealander. Ultimately, Jack Conan shepherds Sexton away.
In his Irish Times match report, rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley suggested that Ioane drew the ire of Sexton by raising a finger to his lips in the direction of the Irish supporters.
Meanwhile, there’s a WhatsApp screengrab reportedly doing the rounds purportedly from Sam Cane where Ioane is alleged to have passed a sarcastic comment to Sexton encouraging the 38-year-old to “enjoy retirement and not miss the flight home tomorrow.”
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Five players who underperformed in the World Cup quarter-finals
We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
#1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Irish Independent 5/10: “Pinged twice in the opening minutes, once at the breakdown and once in the scrum. Indeed, he drew the whistle from Wayne Barnes in two of the game’s first three scrums. Running dialogue with the ref but seemed frustrated throughout.”
Planet Rugby 3/10: “His illegalities at the scrum finally caught up with him as Wayne Barnes continually penalised Porter for not driving straight. However, it was his needless infringement in the opening minute which set the tone.”
RUCK 5/10: “Penalised in an early scrum, as his hips were too wide in the pack. A big hit on Will Jordan on the 20th phase, as Ireland defended strong. Couldn’t support Doris in time for his carry, as the number eight was isolated, and Porter couldn’t stop Savea’s turnover. Penalised twice more in the scrum for the same offence, in a performance he would want to forget in the pack. “