On the day Johnny Sexton eclipsed another ROG record, he was briefly thrown by a ‘fine wine’ question.
Johnny Sexton ran in his 18th and 19th Test tries for Ireland, as part of a 24-point haul, as Romania were put to the sword in Bordeaux.
Sexton’s haul for Ireland equalled the World Cup individual match total set by David Humphreys against Argentina, in 1999. During the game, he also matched then surpassed Ronan O’Gara’s Irish record, at World Cups, of 92 points. He is now at 102 points and counting.
Johnny Sexton celebrates an Ireland try with Conor Murray. (Credit: Sportsfile)Johnny Sexton thrown by age question
“I’m delighted with the result and to get a points difference like that,” Ireland captain Johnny Sexton told Rob Vickerman in his post-match interview.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game at the start, especially with Romania being very physical and they certainly didn’t let us down in that regard.
“I said to the boys we’ll fill out the stadium and thankfully the supporters didn’t make a liar of me,” Sexton added. “These are unbelievable days they give us. So from us, thank you very much, and I hope we gave them something to cheer about.”
Vickerman, a former Newcastle player and England Sevens captain, then asked the Ireland captain about “ageing like a fine wine” now that he is 38. Asked about being Ireland’s oldest World Cup player, Sexton replied:
“Age is just a number, isn’t it? I’m delighted to be back to get to experience something like this. It’s been a long time out… sorry that [question] threw me a bit!
Sexton then joked that he would surely get a slagging message from Rory Best, whom’s record he broke. Back in the ITV studios, David Flatman and Best joked about Sexton ‘being a year ahead of you in school’.
Later on, in the post-match press conference, there was a moment that was lost in translation and it drew a funny remark from the outhalf. A reporter asked about Ireland’s kicking from hand during the game but the translator got wires crossed and asked Sexton about his poor kicking (despite him kicking seven conversions).
“I thought it was the French having a go at me!” Sexton joked.
“You can train all you want, but until you’re in a proper match it doesn’t test you properly,” Sexton would also reflect, to Vickerman.
“I’m delighted just to get some minutes under my belt. We know there are much tougher tasks coming against Tonga and then Scotland and South Africa.”
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