“Enjoy it. You’re pretty stoic but the job has got to be done.”
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has made a handy habit of beating the All Blacks, over the past six years. History may have been made in Dunedin but, for Sexton, it is all about that Test decider, next Saturday.
Ireland defeated New Zealand 23-12, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, to level the Test Series and set up a captivating contest in Wellington, next weekend. This was Ireland’s first away Test win in their 117 year history against the All Blacks, ending what had climbed to a 13-match losing streak, built up over 46 years.
Following his side’s well-deserved victory, Sexton was interviewed by Sky Sport NZ and, with his calm, clear delivery, laid down a marker for the series decider. It was as cold-blooded as you are likely to see.
“Yeah, delighted,” he dead-panned. “We played some great stuff at the start, especially when it was 15 against 15.
Johnny Sexton holds his hands to his head after a call goes against Ireland. (Credit: Sportsfile)“The game was disrupted a bit. We missed some moments. But, look, unbelievably happy with the win. To come here and get the win, no other Irish team has done it before so, delighted. It’s all on the line now, next week.”
“We’ve got a fantastic coaching team. They’ve got us well up for the game. we felt that we didn’t give the best account of ourselves, last week, and the All Blacks obviously punished us for our mistakes. But they put us in a really good place for this week. All we had to do was go and deliver what they put together for us, and we did that.”
Johnny Sexton already moving on
Although they have shipped seven tries in their first two Test outings, many in New Zealand noted the attacking intent from Ireland did not waiver over both games. They have scored five tries and scored 42 points in the series, so far, and left at least four more tries out there.
“That’s the key, playing against the All Blacks, you can never sit back,” Johnny Sexton said.
“The times you do sit back, they punish you. They’ve got some outstanding players. Very well coached, and they’re the best team in the world for a reason. We’re just absolutely delighted to get the win.”
“I think 14 against 14 at the start of the second half,” Sexton added, “to score a try [then] was huge. Then we knew we’d be playing against 14 men for the rest of the game. We are delighted with the win but, as I said, we have a chance to win a series here, and they don’t come along too often. So, let’s build for next week.”
The full post-game chat needs to be seen to be full appreciated. The heart-rate of Johnny Sexton never got beyond a mere, singular throb.
🗣️ "14 against 14 to score a try was huge!"
Johnny Sexton reacts to his side's historical win against the All Blacks. 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/6MtzmsT9R9
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
In the post-match press conference, Sexton told reporters that it was ‘a very special night for the country’.
If Ireland can follow up that victory with another in Wellington, next weekend, it will certainly make for a special summer for Irish rugby supporters.
