In what marked his final appearance, Johnny Sexton valiantly completed the full 80 minutes, an extraordinary feat for a 38-year-old.
While the majority of the victorious All Blacks exhibited graciousness in their triumph, post-match TV cameras inadvertently caught a heated exchange between Sexton and All Blacks center Rieko Ioane as the final whistle resounded.
A visibly irate Sexton was captured by ITV cameras engaged in a verbal confrontation with a seemingly smirking Ioane, until Jack Conan intervened.
Precisely what incited Johnny Sexton’s ire remains uncertain, but it strongly suggests that some form of provocation transpired on the part of the All Blacks center.
Considering the heart-wrenching conclusion to Ireland’s World Cup campaign, it came as no surprise that Sexton voiced his displeasure in the wake of his last match.
After the game, Ioane posted on his Instagram, gesturing with a finger over his mouth, accompanied by the song ‘shut up’ in the background, adding further intrigue to this post-match altercation.
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. “