Former Ireland star Johnny Sexton has been put on the spot over Rieko Ioane’s move to Irish province Leinster.
The pair are engaged in the tastiest feud in rugby following their clash after the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, won by New Zealand.
Sexton wrote about their exchange in his book Obsessed which was published weeks before the All Blacks played in Dublin last year.
According to Sexton, Ioane said: “Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c–t,” after the final whistle.
“So much for the All Blacks’ famous ‘no dickheads’ policy. So much for their humility. I walk after Ioane and call him a fake-humble f–ker.
“It doesn’t look great, me having a go at one of them just after we’ve lost. But I can’t be expected to ignore that.”
Ioane led the haka at the Aviva Stadium when the All Blacks beat Ireland and posted “Put that in your book” on Instagram after the game.
Sexton, who will be heading to Australia next month as part of the British and Irish Lions coaching staff, faced the media on Tuesday to chat about the tour.
At the end of his conference he was asked about Ioane’s signing to his beloved club, as a replacement for Jordie Barrett.
“Wow, save the best for last,” Sexton said. “I purchased my Munster season ticket last week, put it that way…”, suggesting cheekily that he was about to swap allegiance to Leinster’s big rivals.
Leinster’s boss Leo Cullen said he didn’t expect Ioane’s arrival to be an issue, despite the club’s close ties with Sexton.
Rieko Ioane of New Zealand celebrates victory at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between Ireland and New Zealand at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“Sledging is part of the game and there was more made of it than it actually is,” said Cullen.
“I used to get sledged as a player but I didn’t take it personally. I used to get called all sorts of awful things! That’s just part and parcel.
“Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons. He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster.”
Sexton toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017 and is aware this is a much different assignment as assistant to Andy Farrell.
“Obviously I know these guys really well but, with that, comes a challenge in how you deal with them, particularly when they’re friends,” Sexton said.
Johnny Sexton of Ireland celebrates victory after defeating South Africa during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
“And it’s the same thing when you’re meeting people for the first time, there’s pros and cons with that. You have to try to get to know them as people, get to know their strengths and weaknesses.
“Sometimes you can have a perception of a player from what you see through a TV screen and no matter how much footage you can watch and then you can see something different live.
“You can see a different person to what you expected. I’m enjoying being back, that’s the main thing. Hopefully I can add value because that’s ultimately what you want when you come into a job. You want to feel like you’re making a difference and I want the players to say ‘he’s been good for me’.
“I want to impart some of the knowledge that I’ve picked up over 17 years as a pro, to give it back.”
The Roarhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/06/17/wow-all-blacks-stirrers-ireland-move-provokes-surprising-reaction-from-bitter-rival-johnny-sexton/‘Wow’: All Blacks stirrer’s Ireland move provokes surprising reaction from bitter rival Johnny Sexton
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