Johnny Sexton, the captain of Ireland, has admitted that the suspension that nearly jeopardized his participation in the Rugby World Cup was entirely his responsibility.
After Leinster’s loss to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final in May, Sexton, who was sidelined by injury and not partaking in the match, engaged in a confrontation with the match officials.
“It has been incredibly frustrating to have to sit and watch,” he said.
“Obviously it’s my own fault. I just had to do what I could for the team and try to learn by watching the guys, try to contribute where I could and it was particularly tough last weekend in the Aviva, but you live and learn and I hope to move on now.
“I held my hands up straight away.
“I made a mistake in the heat of the moment, obviously I was very emotional on the day not being part of what I had mapped out at the start of the year was playing my last game for Leinster in the Aviva, winning a European Cup.
“It’s one I had dreamt of and then obviously to miss that, there was a lot of emotion and in that split second when I went on to console my teammates, I made a remark and regretted it instantly.
“You make mistakes, you say sorry and hold your hands up and that’s what I’ve done.”
Day jobs of the 2023 Rugby World Cup referee’s:
#1. Ben O’Keeffe
Age: 34
Nationality: New Zealand
Occupation: Eye Doctor
One of New Zealand’s six full-time referees, O’Keeffe is also a qualified doctor specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with eye health and disease.
Ben O’Keeffe facts:
O’Keeffe became an amateur referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19
He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys’ College where he was head boy in 2006.
O’Keeffe’s brother, Michael O’Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football
Ben O’Keeffe toughest player to referee: Ma’a Nonu
O’Keeffe said: “I think like Ma’a Nonu, yeah he was pretty tough. I’ve noticed over the last few years that players are just a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger.
“I trained with the Highlanders pre-season one year and you get a real appreciation of how big, fit and hard they hit. That just remind me why I just I love refereeing – so I don’t have to take those big hits.”