Very Interesting Article from Johno Sexton

RugbyFanatic

Talks about everything from the Mafi inciddent, his supposed relationship with O'Gara, run ins with Cheika etc.




Jonathan, or Johno, Sexton has handled a rugby ball almost as soon as he could run. The Leinster outhalf tells Gerry Thornley about his feisty career

AS A nipper, from almost as soon as he could run, young Johnny, or Johno, had a rugby ball in his hands. He and his brothers were amongst the hordes of youngsters who’d run around that big old-style, square-shaped bar-room, function room-cum-disco hall in the ’Rangers clubhouse of a Saturday afternoon. Like bees in a honeypot.

His dad, Jerry, played scrumhalf for Bective Rangers, and his uncle Willie was a tearaway openside for Garryowen who also played three times for Ireland. On his mum, Clare’s, side, his grandfather John was an Irish international amateur golfer of some repute and his four boys – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, would you believe, though not in that order – all played rugby and golf, Mark also being a scrumhalf for Bective.

“I was there as long as I can remember,” recalls Sexton. “Johnny O’Hagan was the Bective bagman, even back then, 20 years ago and I was pestering him for balls all the time and breaking lights in the clubhouse in Bective and causing hassle, I suppose, with my brothers. Fond memories. We used to run wild down there.”

Fast forward 20 years or so. In the 25th minute of the Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster, in front of a world record 82,208 crowd at Croke Park, Sexton has just come on for the injured Felipe Contepomi and, by way of introduction to the game, is lining up a penalty.

“Then Johnny O’Hagan brought out the wrong kicking tee and I was like: ‘Are you for real?’ and he says ‘Just use that’ and I said: ‘I’m not f***ing using the wrong kicking tee!’ so I sent him back with his dodgy ankle and he got the right kicking tee,” says Sexton, smiling.

For Sexton, it’s actually calming to have O’Hagan bring out the tee. “I’ve known him for so long. He always gives me a little word of advice just before the kick. I don’t listen to it,” he quips, “but it’s nice to hear it and he’s great to have around the place. All the lads know him so well now. He’s just part of Leinster. He’ll be here until he goes, basically.”

It’s been a long, rugby rite of passage for Sexton, but from that kick onwards, he came of age last season, guiding Leinster to their Promised Land. He has always been a very driven, ambitious young lad. Invariably last off the training ground, team-mates talk of a strikingly more mature player and person in the last year, one willing to call the shots, but also to take advice on board. He’s a bright, engaging lad too who is now noticeably more content in his own skin.

It’s now, surely, only a question of when young Johnny emulates uncle Willie. The Sextons are from Listowel, good sporting Kerry stock, which may also partially account for Sexton’s nice line in dry wit and his feisty, fiery side. He’s had his minor little run-ins with coaches and the law. Nothing too serious, but the coaches and the law have usually won.

“Gets me into trouble sometimes, the temper. That’s probably from the dad’s side,” he says, smiling again, and whenever these little run-ins come up in conversation he explains, as if beyond his control, in one word: “Kerry.”

After those Saturday afternoons in Bective came Sunday mornings playing mini rugby. Although he’s long since filled out the under-20s jersey that used to hang down to his knees, he’s still in touch with first coach there, Joe Nolan, who, he says with evident pride on Nolan’s behalf, will be the club president next season.

It’s funny how certain memories stick out. “I would have seen my dad play when I was very young. I remember him coming off the pitch with a broken nose one day and I thought he was going to die. There was blood everywhere.”

Milltown and, in the summer, Ballybunion golf clubs were the other familial haunts. Not so long ago, Sexton had his handicap down to five but there isn’t so much time to play nowadays, so he’s kept his Ballybunion membership but not Milltown.

By then he was at St Mary’s, ultimately playing for three years on their senior Cup team.

“There’s only 50 or 60 kids in the year so it is a real sort of family school. It’s a really good school too. They don’t have the players that Blackrock do but the ethos in the school and the spirit within the school gives them the success that they’ve had.”

He won a medal in his first year, at 16, but being the only fourth year student in the squad reckons he didn’t appreciate it as much as he might have done. In his second year, they lost a final at Lansdowne Road to Terenure in front of 30,000 people, by 3-0. He winces again at the memory of losing in the first round against Blackrock the following year.

“We were 17-3 up at half-time and then a number of things happened. We dropped the ball over the line, we got done for a double movement over the line, and Luke Fitzgerald informed us that a bird shat on the Blackrock coach’s head at half-time, which is a sign of good luck apparently,” recalls Sexton with amusement, though clearly wondering still if there might actually have been some truth in it.

“And when I was taking a place kick they decided to turn the floodlights on in Donnybrook because it got so dark, just as I was taking the run up.”

He also played for the Leinster and Irish schools but “the bad ones (memories) always stick out,” as he puts it. “And that’s what still drives you. I’m sure that’s what still drives the Munster players. They probably still remember the finals they lost rather than the ones they’ve won.”

It’s the same with Sexton, for though he’s into double figures for Ireland under-21 and Ireland A caps, there’s still been no full caps, and he has only played 46 games for Leinster. “You need to learn through experience and I have learned through experience. I’ve had some brilliant times; winning the Magners League early in my career and then the Heineken. But I’ve had some tough times; getting dropped, not getting picked and I’ve learned from them. Looking back that’s just the way my career has gone and now hopefully it will stay on an upward curve.”

He saw others, such as Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney, bypass him and consoled himself that he was behind “an Argentinian legend and a Leinster legend” in Contepomi. “At the time I was bloody frustrated but that’s the type of person I am, I’m ambitious and I want to succeed and when you’re not getting as many chances as you think you should get, obviously I was frustrated and we (himself and Michael Cheika) had some run-ins.”

Aside from Cheika, there have been many other good influences along the way, such as Richie Murphy in the Leinster academy, but it was David Knox who taught him how to run a backline, and when to go to the line.

“He changed my game. When I was in school it was very much a kicking game. The academy obviously helped and then I got introduced to Knoxy and as strange a character as he was, he was an outstanding coach. He was unbelievable. He taught me everything. His drills were brilliant. I learned a lot through Felipe and then obviously later Riff (Gaffney) has come in. He’s got a huge amount of experience and knowledge and he’s passing that on as well. Michael as well. Jesus, although he was a backrow he does know an awful lot about the game. So I’ve been lucky.”

Last season’s rollercoaster summed up his career. Having been a fairly regular starter in the successful Magners League campaign, Isa Nacewa was brought in and Sexton tried to be more like Felipe Contepomi and Nacewa than Johnny Sexton. “Michael (Cheika) just wanted me to control the game and the fancy things will come if I just did that.

“That’s what I’ve learned most, just go out and play your own game and if you do something special it will just happen at the time.”

He’s also learned to row with the mistakes rather than beat himself up over them. “I saw Wilkinson miss a kick to win the game the other day. I was in shock, I was like ‘he didn’t miss that!’ But, you know, things happen.”

This weekend a year ago Sexton came on at half-time against Wasps and brilliantly helped steer Leinster to a 41-11 win. But he had a “shocking” game against Glasgow and was replaced at half-time in the defeat away to Castres.

“That had never happened to me before in my career, ever,” he says, the embarrassment of the experience not something he will easily forget.

St Mary’s, and Declan Kidney’s faith in him, saved his season. “I’m very good friends with Peter Smith, the Mary’s coach, and he’s got a really professional set-up there. I was playing with my brother, playing with all the guys that I’ve played with for years up there. We had a few good results when we played and really good craic and I almost felt ‘this is why I started playing’. I was playing with freedom whereas before I was playing with pressure.”

Still, Ian Humphreys was playing well for Ulster. “I was reading the press speculating that he would be picked for the Irish As and I was like ‘Jesus, he probably will’. I have Declan Kidney to thank for that. He could have just gone with Humphreys.”

The Irish As beat their Scottish counterparts. “That was the turning point for me. A good night in the RDS, I got a try that wasn’t a try.”

Back in the Leinster 22, they began playing better when he was on the pitch, such as when losing away to Munster a week before the Heineken Cup quarter-final, whereupon he was suspended for two weeks for kicking Lifeimi Mafi. The Kerry thing.

“I thought he tried to turn D’Arcy on his head and I was angry, but I didn’t mean to kick him in the head. I sort of lashed out slightly, but it was an accident.” In any event, Sexton was back for the semi-final. He was nervous on the bus ride to Croker, but going past Pearse Street Fire Station he was pleasantly surprised to see a bunch of his mates from St Mary’s roaring and waving to him. That made him feel good.

His courage in landing a penalty with his first touch was widely applauded but he reckons it was the best thing for him, “because suddenly, ‘bang’ you’re in the game. It was nerve-racking, the knees and the heart were going crazy but it put me right in the game. I had never experienced an atmosphere like it before. I had never played internationals, I had never played in front of that amount of people. That’s given me the taste of it and that’s what’s driving me on now”.

Sexton reckons he probably played better in the final. Last Friday, he lined up a drop goal from near the half-way line and most in the crowd probably had a flashback to that day in May at Murrayfield against Leicester. Unfortunately, he admits, so did he. Still, it was some drop goal with which to announce he was ready for a Heineken Cup final.

The younger players in the team won it for themselves but also, he says, for those who toiled through some of the bad days.

“But at the same time I hope they won’t settle for one Heineken cup in their career,” he says, “because if they play for 12 seasons, one out of 12 isn’t that good is it? If I play until I’m 34 and only win one out of 12, I won’t be happy.”

Sexton rang (Ireland manager) Paul McNaughton before the final offering to fly out the next day for the two summer Tests in the USA and Canada, but he was told to concentrate on the final. “It’s something that I desperately want and not only just one. I want to play for Ireland like Ronan O’Gara has for the last 10 years.”

It must be odd being a rival to O’Gara. “When I was 14 he was 24 and playing for Ireland. I was playing at outhalf for Mary’s so obviously he was my idol. I looked up to his standard and I would always try to do that trademark kick into the corner, and he has a lovely passing game as well.”

He talks with huge respect for O’Gara and his achievements. The incident after the D’Arcy try in the semi-final when Sexton was freeze-framed seemingly unleashing a volley of verbals (he actually just screamed, without saying anything) at O’Gara has literally distorted the picture we have of the rivalry. “That respect probably got thrown out in that moment in Croke Park, but you know things happen in the heat of battle and other things are said that aren’t caught on camera and s*** happens but I still have respect for him as a player and what he has achieved.”

Similarly Sexton will have his occasional bad days as well as good ones. Being the resident outhalf with Leinster, the European champions, has a certain responsibility to it.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to be for 10 years so . . . yeah I’m glad I’m in that position at the moment. I’m not taking it for granted because Seán Beirne is a quality player.”

Having a new alternative at outhalf is good for Sexton, and besides at one point last summer he thought it might be Dan Carter. “He was around here at the time. I swear to God. When Felipe was announcing he was leaving, Dan Carter was in our gym working out.”

Carter was over for an Adidas photo shoot.

Even Carter would be feeling the heat this week, but Sexton isn’t fazed.

“We are going to win the game first of all, we know we have to win the game. We’ve got out of the pool before winning four games and getting bonus points. So there is pressure, there is a lot of pressure but it’s not like we’re not good enough to win over there.”

It’s not said with a trace of cockiness, just a belief in himself and his team-mates.

He looks the part now

[Jackass]

Cheers for that. Great read.

I'd have to say, of all the young guns or golden generation coming through at Leinster, Sexton is the most special I think.

Fitz, Kearney, McFadden, Healy, O'Brien, McLaughlin, Toner etc. etc., all great players, and perhaps Sexton has had a much tougher fight than most for his jersey, but his personality, skill, confidence and ability, I think he has the calibre to be one of the all time greats in the game..once he gets the Irish jersey, I think we'll see a whole new level to this guy.

PhatPiggins

[Jackass] wrote: »

Cheers for that. Great read.

I'd have to say, of all the young guns or golden generation coming through at Leinster, Sexton is the most special I think.

Fitz, Kearney, McFadden, Healy, O'Brien, McLaughlin, Toner etc. etc., all great players, and perhaps Sexton has had a much tougher fight than most for his jersey, but his personality, skill, confidence and ability, I think he has the calibre to be one of the all time greats in the game..once he gets the Irish jersey, I think we'll see a whole new level to this guy.

I hope your right because Irish rugby needs him the most.

Trojan

Also shows again, despite all his flaws, what a huge influence David Knox was - a big, big loss.

murphym7

I am struggling to like the guy, not that it matters. He is a great tallent and will be great for Ireland. I really thought 1 - 2 years ago that we were going to be in trouble for 10 when Ian Humphreys wasn't really progressing as well as we hoped. Sexton will be another star.

Its really exciting having young fella's like Sexton, Fitgerald, Earls and Kearney coming through in the back's. The national side's backline is really well manned for a few years to come.

PhatPiggins

murphym7 wrote: »

I am struggling to like the guy, not that it matters. He is a great tallent and will be great for Ireland. I really thought 1 - 2 years ago that we were going to be in trouble for 10 when Ian Humphreys wasn't really progressing as well as we hoped. Sexton will be another star.

Its really exciting having young fella's like Sexton, Fitgerald, Earls and Kearney coming through in the back's. The national side's backline is really well manned for a few years to come.

I think you need an ego to be a great OH a bit like boxers. Johnny Wilkinson being the exception to the rule.

Teferi

Yep, I find it very hard to like the guy but he is a smashing player and I can't wait till he starts getting the Irish jersey. I respect his work ethic though, he has had to put more work in than any of the other new generation for his place.

Risteard

I think he came off well in that article.

I think he's very like O' Gara in his attitude in a way in that he tells it like it is. He may seem a bit cocky to some but I'd rather have a cocky outhalf that was running the show than a nice quiet modest one who was just bumbling along.

I hope he starts against Australia and he lives up to the hype he's generated through his outstanding performances for Leinster.

RugbyFanatic

''Invariably last off the training ground''

I still remember there was one poster here who claimed Sexton was lazy and undedicated because he mentioned in an old article that he didn't do enough weights when he was in school!!

chupacabra

I have to say i love his attitude. You need a bit of cockiness to be one of the greats and he has it in him to be one of the greats alright.

PhatPiggins

chupacabra wrote: »

I have to say i love his attitude. You need a bit of cockiness to be one of the greats and he has it in him to be one of the greats alright.

For Leinster or for Ireland?

danthefan

Seems very level headed to me, don't see what people could find about that article objectionable to be honest.

Chucky the tree

danthefan wrote: »

Seems very level headed to me, don't see what people could find about that article objectionable to be honest.

From previous posts I've read on this forum I'd have thought plenty of Leinster fans would object to this

It must be odd being a rival to O’Gara. “When I was 14 he was 24 and playing for Ireland. I was playing at outhalf for Mary’s so obviously he was my idol. I looked up to his standard and I would always try to do that trademark kick into the corner, and he has a lovely passing game as well.

2040

Who found it objectionable? I'm starting to like the guy a bit now. I never thought i'd find myself saying that.

Aidric

His thuggish element really shines through in that article. I'm not sure Ireland can accommodate such a temper?

danthefan

Aidric wrote: »

His thuggish element really shines through in that article. I'm not sure Ireland can accommodate such a temper?

You're nothing if not predictable.

pappyodaniel

Aidric wrote: »

His thuggish element really shines through in that article. I'm not sure Ireland can accommodate such a temper?

Don't start. Credit where it's due. It's not tiddlywinks.

puntosporting

Poor excuse about the mafi incident he admits to kicking out and then claims it was an accident in the same bloody sentence!
I agree he is talented and we need a solid 10 after O'Gara buts its early days just yet!

Aidric

The language is colourful as well. Does he think he's Mike Strutter?

danthefan

Aidric wrote: »

The language is colourful as well. Does he think he's Mike Strutter?

Pathetic. Gonna kill you when he takes the 10 shirt from ROG isn't it?

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

Pathetic. Gonna kill you when he takes the 10 shirt from ROG isn't it?

Dont bite.

It would be nice to keep one thread on topic.

danthefan

Sorry. As I said before anyway it's a good interview with a very good player who's going to be Irish 10 for a long time.

Sangre

puntosporting wrote: »

Poor excuse about the mafi incident he admits to kicking out and then claims it was an accident in the same bloody sentence!
I agree he is talented and we need a solid 10 after O'Gara buts its early days just yet!

Would you rather he lied?

He did something idiotic, he got punished. He'll hopefully learn that such acts are dangerous and you'll be banned as a result.

danthefan

Sangre wrote: »

Would you rather he lied?

He did something idiotic, he got punished. He'll hopefully learn that such acts are dangerous and you'll be banned as a result.

He didn't even make an excuse, he admits he kicked out.

_blank_

If this kicks off any more there will be bannings.

danthefan

Fair enough, sorry, shouldn't bite.

FridaysWell

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

AS A nipper, from almost as soon as he could run, young Johnny, or Johno, had a rugby ball in his hands. He and his brothers were amongst the hordes of youngsters who’d run around that big old-style, square-shaped bar-room, function room-cum-disco hall in the ’Rangers clubhouse of a Saturday afternoon. Like bees in a honeypot.


By then he was at St Mary’s, ultimately playing for three years on their senior Cup team.

“There’s only 50 or 60 kids in the year so it is a real sort of family school. It’s a really good school too. They don’t have the players that Blackrock do but the ethos in the school and the spirit within the school gives them the success that they’ve had.”


He looks the part now

I really like the way he is goes back to his roots, he may be young but he is becoming a legend in my eyes.

When he mentions after a few poor games he goes to play a bit of rugby back at St.Marys, and he says 'this is why I started to play' (or to that effect) to hear someone who has won a Heineken Cup and someone who many people are expecting alot from, to hear him saying that, he plays for the love of the game, thats inspiring. It really is.

He certainly does look the part, and Mr.Sexton is going to go far.

Genuine person, great to see.

anonymous_joe

Trojan wrote: »

Also shows again, despite all his flaws, what a huge influence David Knox was - a big, big loss.

Absolutely spot on.

Knox was one of the biggest losses to Irish rugby in years.

Rugby needs more people like Knox. He might have been a bit mad, but his talents as a player were mirrored by his talents as a coach. He can work wonders with backs, especially out-halves and the style of play Sexton's exhibiting right now is showing just how good a coach he was/is.

[Jackass]

There's no doubt that Knox is a superb backs coach, but he is also an idiot, and I think his leaving was in part to do with a bit of unrest within the squad with him, I think the team is greater than any one person etc. etc. and he wasn't offered a new contract.

He even took the time to take a bitter swipe at Irish and Munster rugby which was highly embarresing for the Leinster players who had to come out and condem it.

Great coach, but I'm happy with Gaffney.

danthefan

He didn't get on with Brewer (I think it was) and as a result Leinster went almost a season without a backs coach. He was definitely a gifted coach, just an utter fruitcake. But he had the backline purring like I've never seen it before, just a shame about the pack back then.

Podge_irl

[Jackass] wrote: »

There's no doubt that Knox is a superb backs coach, but he is also an idiot, and I think his leaving was in part to do with a bit of unrest within the squad with him, I think the team is greater than any one person etc. etc. and he wasn't offered a new contract.

He even took the time to take a bitter swipe at Irish and Munster rugby which was highly embarresing for the Leinster players who had to come out and condem it.

Great coach, but I'm happy with Gaffney.

I'd tend to agree with that to be honest. Knox was technically an amazing coach (clearly) but he his position was becoming untenable, and entirely due to his own fault. He left his mark on Irish rugby and we should be grateful for that, but I wouldn't have wanted him to stay any longer with the way things were going.

Its certainly interesting to think of what himself and Gibbes (who i've been massively pleasantly surprised by) and McQuilkan could have done with the current squad, but it was never going to work. He hated the forward oriented game that Leinster were developing.

Podge_irl

danthefan wrote: »

He didn't get on with Brewer (I think it was) and as a result Leinster went almost a season without a backs coach

That's what I heard anyway. Unfortunately he chose to publicly fall out with Brewer when the forwards were doing the business and the backs most certainly weren't.

anonymous_joe

[Jackass] wrote: »

There's no doubt that Knox is a superb backs coach, but he is also an idiot, and I think his leaving was in part to do with a bit of unrest within the squad with him, I think the team is greater than any one person etc. etc. and he wasn't offered a new contract.

He even took the time to take a bitter swipe at Irish and Munster rugby which was highly embarresing for the Leinster players who had to come out and condem it.

Great coach, but I'm happy with Gaffney.

Aye, so much baggage with him. But bloody hell the backs under him!

If only he wasn't such a looper. But then he'd never be as good at what he did would he?

theKramer

anonymous_joe wrote: »

If only he wasn't such a looper. But then he'd never be as good at what he did would he?

They do say most geniuses are a bit mad Not that I am saying he is a genius. Also, maybe more highly strung than mad

Trojan

I met Knox one time out in Clontarf when he was doing some backline work with the 1sts (I'm not on the 1sts ). I hadn't a clue who he was (he was surprised at that hehe) but he came across as a really sound bloke.

A few weeks later I was stewarding in Lansdowne West-upper for *that* semi-final. He came up to get a better view, and loads of the crowd were complaining to the head steward about his language, tried to get him kicked out. Of course he didn't give a damn

Ok, sorry for dragging it onto a Knox discussion.

musky

What comes across in that article is that Sexton really is grounded.

He seems to really value and appreciate all the hard work of those around him on his way up, nice to see.

He will be the new Ireland 10, its just a matter of when.

myflipflops

I like that bit of edge that makes other fans dislike him.

I disliked O'Gara a lot after I read his book, I thought he came across as a cocky so and so. No arguing with what he's done on the pitch and that's what counts.

I reckon Sexton and O Gara probably have similar enough personalites and that's probably why they (apparently) don't like each other. Let's hope they end up having similar talents and similar careers!

2040

pwhite587 wrote: »

I reckon Sexton and O Gara probably have similar enough personalites and that's probably why they (apparently) don't like each other. Let's hope they end up having similar talents and similar careers!

That's exactly it, and it's why a lot (and i don't think i'm being unfair in saying this) of Leinster supporters tend to dislike ROG. For the same reason a lot of Munster supporters dislike Sexton. Cockiness is useful trait in an outhalf. As a Munster supporter, i'm gradually beginning to warm to the idea of Sexton being Ireland's next outhalf. That being said, there has to be more competition for the position in the future than there was in the past.

anonymous_joe

Trojan wrote: »

I met Knox one time out in Clontarf when he was doing some backline work with the 1sts (I'm not on the 1sts ). I hadn't a clue who he was (he was surprised at that hehe) but he came across as a really sound bloke.

A few weeks later I was stewarding in Lansdowne West-upper for *that* semi-final. He came up to get a better view, and loads of the crowd were complaining to the head steward about his language, tried to get him kicked out. Of course he didn't give a damn

Ok, sorry for dragging it onto a Knox discussion.

His own fault tbh. Had he been less Knoxxy (and ok, if there'd been a couple less Aussie superstars) he'd have started regularly for the Wallabies. As it was he was a bit like Whits, always behind amazing players, but really really good in his own right.

2040 wrote: »

That's exactly it, and it's why a lot (and i don't think i'm being unfair in saying this) of Leinster supporters tend to dislike ROG. For the same reason a lot of Munster supporters dislike Sexton. Cockiness is useful trait in an outhalf. As a Munster supporter, i'm gradually beginning to warm to the idea of Sexton being Ireland's next outhalf. That being said, there has to be more competition for the position in the future than there was in the past.

Same as strikers in football. That arrogance gives them an edge. Dislikeable but admirable.

Hyperbullet

2040 wrote: »

That's exactly it, and it's why a lot (and i don't think i'm being unfair in saying this) of Leinster supporters tend to dislike ROG. For the same reason a lot of Munster supporters dislike Sexton. Cockiness is useful trait in an outhalf. As a Munster supporter, i'm gradually beginning to warm to the idea of Sexton being Ireland's next outhalf. That being said, there has to be more competition for the position in the future than there was in the past.

Agree totally. Being a devout Munster man and after the Mafi incident last season I really took a set on Sexton, hated his guts. But watching the lad play, there's no denying he's an amazing talent. Its taking a while but I'm beginning to respect him. I dont care what he's like off the pitch, never bothers me with ROG (who's a gent having met him on several occasions), as long as he gets the job done for the 80 minutes.

Ceartgoleor

pwhite587 wrote: »

I like that bit of edge that makes other fans dislike him.

I disliked O'Gara a lot after I read his book, I thought he came across as a cocky so and so. No arguing with what he's done on the pitch and that's what counts.

I reckon Sexton and O Gara probably have similar enough personalites and that's probably why they (apparently) don't like each other. Let's hope they end up having similar talents and similar careers!

I was the opposite, and actually had even more respect for O'Gara after having read his book, thought it was one of the more honest sporting books i'd ever read. Though, I've never disliked O'Gara, despite being a Leinster fan .

All the best players have that bit of fight, confidence and tenacity to them.

FridaysWell

Ceartgoleor wrote: »

All the best players have that bit of fight, confidence and tenacity to them.

True. Now give the 10 jersey to Mr.Sexton people. He loves the game and gots the passion.

RugbyFanatic

If Sexton doesn't get that 10 jersey for the AIs it will be a complete and utter disgrace in my opinion.

PhatPiggins

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

If Sexton doesn't get that 10 jersey for the AIs it will be a complete and utter disgrace in my opinion.

And you will leave the forum in protest?

Aidric

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

If Sexton doesn't get that 10 jersey for the AIs it will be a complete and utter disgrace in my opinion.

No, it won't. He has no divine right to just slot in there.

LeeroyJones

Aidric wrote: »

No, it won't. He has no divine right to just slot in there.

Nobody has a "divine right" for any position in any team!

Players get their international opportunities through playing well, consistency and showing the coach they have the bottle to step it up to the next level.

Sexton ticks all these boxes and it would be a disgrace if he didn't get a cap!

I have little doubt that Kidney will give him a run at some stage anyway as I'm sure he is more aware than most that a new 10 must be given experience before ROG hangs up his boots because he is getting on. (please may I state that this is not a criticism of ROG's talents nor am I disrespecting anything ROG has done for club, province or country!!!)

To have a young flyhalf, who has won the H Cup and in recent meetings against Europe's best flyhalves (ROG, Jones, Hook, Vesty etc) has come out on top, at your disposal at a time when the international team needs competition at flyhalf and also a successor at the position and not to use him would be a disgrace!!!

but Kidney is certainly not a disgrace nor does he tend to make disgraceful decisions so I don't envisage this scenario!

danthefan

Aidric wrote: »

No, it won't. He has no divine right to just slot in there.

If you were picking the team who would you go for and why?

ALH-06

Aidric wrote: »

No, it won't. He has no divine right to just slot in there.

Yet O'Gara has, it seems, even when he's clearly not playing well?

No, those days are over thankfully. If O'Gara isn't playing to the required standard, then there's another outhalf to take his place on the Irish team.

Of course Sexton doesn't have a 'divine right' to slot in there - it's ridiculous to even use such language. But he has proved himself at the highest level in club rugby and has much better form right now. So he should start. Are you arguing with that?

ALH-06

2040 wrote: »

That's exactly it, and it's why a lot (and i don't think i'm being unfair in saying this) of Leinster supporters tend to dislike ROG. For the same reason a lot of Munster supporters dislike Sexton.

As a Leinster fan, I've always been a fan of ROG. I even stuck by him right through the RWC07. That wasn't his fault but he was the scapegoat. Anyway, I don't in any way think that ROG is finished as a player (like some fickle posters on here), but would agree that Sexton should be the incumbent at 10, simply because he is playing better now.

If Sexton is started ahead of ROG in the AIs, then that will make for an exciting and ultra-competitive rivalry leading up the the 6N. And that's exactly what ROG, Sexton and Irish rugby need. Win-win.

louthandproud

Sexton is almost guaranteed a cap in the AI's.

Whether it is because RO'G isn't playing as well or simply because Sexton needs to get international game time under his belt, in either case it would seem to me only to be a question of does he start a game or get brought on and if it is one, two or all three games.

Personally I'd start him at the RDS game for sure and perhaps give ROG and Sexton a start each in the other two, with ROG starting in the first one perhaps.

PS it isn't by divine right it is by earned right! So says a Munster fan who is pretty sick of the whole subjective pick the guy from my team arguments on both sides.