All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has dismissed Rieko Ioane cupping his ear and also shushing Irish fans following his side's Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory on Saturday.
The gestures from the All Blacks outside centre appeared to anger Johnny Sexton and the two players exchanged some heated words following the final whistle.
"It happens on most sporting parks when tensions are high and a lot at stake," said Foster before referencing Johnny Sexton's behaviour towards Jaco Peyper and his match officials following Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle. Sexton was given a three-match ban for being "confrontational and aggressive towards and disrespectful of the match officials".
14 October 2023; Rieko Ioane of New Zealand celebrates next to Garry Ringrose, left, and Jonathan Sexton of Ireland at the final whistle of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"Unfortunately recently it's also included players saying a few things to referees," Foster added.
"Is it right for the game? I don't know. You don't hear a lot of players complaining about it."
Asked about Ioane's gestures, New Zealand captain Sam Cane said: "It's players' different personalities and emotions running high in those moments. There's always people who have different tactics but it's always just left out there."
20 May 2023; Jonathan Sexton of Leinster and referee Jaco Peyper after the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Scrum-half Aaron Smith said the victory over Ireland is the "most proud" he's been of an All Blacks performance.
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"The build-up, the emotion, the game, the spectacle itself," said Smith.
"It felt like that game went on for two days, that second-half felt like forever. But it was so much fun and intensity and two teams just not giving up.
"For our boys to really control that last 10 minutes was the most proud moment. Then to defend 37 phases, stay onside, not to give them an opportunity and for one of our senior players to nail the moment was pretty special.
14 October 2023; Aaron Smith of New Zealand during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"Then you look at the other quarter-final, what a game as well. That’s the beauty of this World Cup. It’s been a spectacle the whole way. The French public, the stadiums, the weather.
"As a player you appreciate how much has gone into this tournament and to still be a part of it is such a blessing. As players it’s your opportunity to make sure you prepare and give it absolutely everything each day for when you get a chance to play.
"We are lucky enough to have another opportunity this weekend and we want to be better than we were last week."
That next opportunity for the All Blacks will be in their semi-final against Argentina on Friday night.
"We had to play a final last week - every game was like that," said Foster.
"It was a fantastic weekend. Every team, every game was pushed to the edge. That's a reflection of where world rugby is at - you have to go bone deep to get to where we've got. It's a matter of treasuring each week - you've got to give it everything. There's no tomorrow - it's a very simple formula.
14 October 2023; New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, left, and assistant coach Joe Schmidt before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"Argentina are a very different team. We know the breakdown is going to be the same battle as when we've played against them in the last three years. They've got some backs who want to play and open you up. Can we meet this challenge at the standard we want to?
"Physical recovery is always important at this time of year. Mental recovery - how you switch off and come down from that high. The best way to recover is to refocus on what the next challenge is, not to listen to too much praise, get softened because everyone is patting you on the back. It's not a good place to be as a team. When you're clear about your goal for the week, your recovery comes on pretty quickly."
"If we're not on for the Stade de France on Friday, it's going to be a sad old night. We don't want it to be like that. We've worked hard, we've got amazing support, we know we're playing for a country, so we want to do them proud. No excuses."
See Also: New Footage Emerges Of Heated Johnny Sexton Clash With Rieko Ioane
