It was more heartbreak for Ireland at the Rugby World Cup as New Zealand overturned Andy Farrell's men 28-24 in Paris on Saturday evening. It was devastation for Johnny Sexton, whose gilded career ended on a pitch in Paris where he has produced many of his greatest moments (namely that drop goal in 2018).
Johnny Sexton went the full 80 in his last-ever game, an incredible accomplishment for a 38-year-old. While most of the All Blacks were magnanimous in victory, TV cameras did pick up an angry exchange between Sexton and All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane after the full time whistle was blown.
An angry Johnny Sexton was captured on ITV having words with a smug-looking Ioane before Jack Conan stepped in.
The clip was tweeted by ITV but is geoblocked in Ireland.
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READ MORE: Jack Conan Did His Best To Embarrass Johnny Sexton On Flight Home From Paris
Johnny Sexton is not happy about something here 🤬#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/hjcMQBjoMX
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) October 14, 2023
You can see some stills here.
It's hard to know exactly what Ioane said to infuriate Johnny Sexton, but it seems highly likely some comment was passed by the All Blacks centre. Given the crushing end to Ireland's World Cup campaign, it's no surprise Sexton expressed his displeasure.
Here's another angle on it.
— Michael Cuthbert Photography (@mikecuthbertuk) October 14, 2023
Right afterwards, however, Sexton did shake hands with Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett.
For his part, the Blues player posted a cryptic message with the finger to his lips to his Instagram story beside teammates Shannon Frizell and Leicester Fainga'anuku, which he subsequently deleted.
Johnny Sexton's son Luca was on the pitch not long after the incident and issued some words of encouragement to his dad.
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READ HERE: TV Cameras Pick Up Touching Moment Between Johnny Sexton & Son After World Cup Heartbreak
All Blacks tribute to Sexton
After the full time whistle, the All Blacks issued a classy tweet calling Johnny Sexton a "legend of the game" and thanking him for his service.
A legend of the game. You’ve had a stellar career, Johnny. Thank you for all the battles over the years 👏#IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/7NM48Xoalv
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 14, 2023
Triumphant All Blacks captain Sam Cane credited Ireland and praised his own defense for holding Ireland off in those final minutes
“A lot of credit’s got to go to Ireland, they’ve set the standard round world rugby for the last couple of years, so we knew the challenge that we had here tonight.
“And I’m just super proud of the effort that went into the week’s preparation, and then our ability to just defend our line for 30-plus phases at the end, was huge.
New Zealand will now play Argentina next Friday night, while Ireland must wait four more years to win that elusive first quarterfinal in a Rugby World Cup. It's hard to believe Ireland can no longer call on Johnny Sexton for international matches.
See Also: What's Next For Johnny Sexton After Retiring From Rugby
