"Not amused" - Johnny Sexton 'honoured' on flight home as Ireland teammates pull prank
Rugby NewsTuesday, 17 October 2023 at 09:25
In the aftermath of their World Cup exit, Johnny Sexton's Irish compatriots rallied to lift the spirits of the retiring rugby icon as Andy Farrell's squad made their journey back from the Rugby World Cup in Paris.
Despite retiring as Ireland's all-time leading points scorer, Sexton was unable to guide his team to their maiden appearance in the tournament's semi-finals.
Amidst the squad's departure from Paris on a Monday morning, a touch of camaraderie and humor took center stage as two Irish stars, Jack Conan and Bundee Aki, orchestrated a light-hearted and cheeky prank to bid their captain a memorable farewell.
Conan, showing his playful side, couldn't pass up the chance to tease Sexton as they boarded the plane. The dynamic number eight playfully encouraged passengers to line up and share a "hug and a kiss" with the esteemed Leinster man during their journey back.
"Everyone move up and congratulate him personally," Conan told passengers over the intercom. "Make it single-file. Come up and give him a pat on the back, a hug and a kiss - he'd love that. He'll be over the moon.
"[He'll] take photos, answer questions, anything you want, Johnny is just delighted to meet everyone. He has all the time today for everyone. Please take your time, come up and say hello to him. He is just so ecstatic about it all."
Aki also joined in, noting that Sexton now had plenty of time on his hands after hanging up his boots. "Because he is retired, he has the time on the way," he added.
Five players who underperformed in the World Cup quarter-finals
We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
#1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Irish Independent 5/10: "Pinged twice in the opening minutes, once at the breakdown and once in the scrum. Indeed, he drew the whistle from Wayne Barnes in two of the game's first three scrums. Running dialogue with the ref but seemed frustrated throughout."
Planet Rugby 3/10: "His illegalities at the scrum finally caught up with him as Wayne Barnes continually penalised Porter for not driving straight. However, it was his needless infringement in the opening minute which set the tone."
RUCK 5/10: "Penalised in an early scrum, as his hips were too wide in the pack. A big hit on Will Jordan on the 20th phase, as Ireland defended strong. Couldn’t support Doris in time for his carry, as the number eight was isolated, and Porter couldn’t stop Savea’s turnover. Penalised twice more in the scrum for the same offence, in a performance he would want to forget in the pack. "
#2. Ryan Elias (Wales)
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Elias wasn’t entirely accurate with his lineout throws and didn’t stand out in open play."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "He threw his weight around well on defence and was strong with ball in hand, but three poor lineout throws, from five, cost Wales promising attacking opportunities in the first half and was replaced at the break because of it. "
Wales Online 4/10: "Up to this point, he had been one of the unsung heroes of Wales' World Cup campaign but three overthrown lineouts."
#3. Marcus Smith (England)
Telegraph 5/10: "Lord he was in the wars. Whether having Semi Radradra bouncing him in the tackle, Josua Tuisova ragdolling him, or going for an HIA, Smith showed huge heart. Jury out whether he will stay at full back for the semi-final."
Rugby Pass 6.5/10: "Picked for just his second start in the full-back position, he worked well with some early ball but got caught on a run from inside his own half with England 8-0 up and that turnover resulted in a missed Fijian shot at the posts. Soon took a smack to the head from the yellow-carded Vinaya Habosi on a carry in the lead-up to the Marchant try. Returned to resume playing a very capable part in the win despite the need for further on-pitch running repairs."
Planet Rugby 6/10: "As Steve Borthwick predicted, Fiji didn’t test his aerial skills, but Smith didn’t really cut loose. Conceded one penalty when trying to counter, but he did mop up well at times and that extra pair of eyes helped Owen Farrell."
Evening Standard 6/10: "Rode out one extremely risky break and dealt with a broken nose to add just enough poise to England’s back-field set-up."
Mail Online 5/10: "Battered and bruised in the contact area, with blood pouring down his face. Tackling in the backfield very different to front-line defending as he found out the hard way."
#4. James Lowe (Ireland)
Rugby Pass 3.5: "Lowe had one of his worst performances in an Irish jersey. Lowe dropped the ball behind him and over the sideline with his first touch, and this practically summed up the wing’s off night at Stade de France. Lowe wasn’t just off, he was ineffective in practically all facets of the game."
Sunday World 5/10: "Was never a game where he could bring his trusty left boot into play, Lowe kept on looking for work but this was a game where his considerable attacking talents ultimately had little bearing on the outcome."
#5. Josh Adams (Wales)
RUCK 5.5/10: "Strong opening tackle to set his tempo in defence. Spilled the pass from North, which could have led to a try. Good presence on Argentina’s back three under the high ball, beut ended his half with an unnecessary shot on Cubelli. Lucky to avoid a yellow. Continued to jump in front of high ball catchers, and repeatedly lucky to be let off."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Had a quiet first half, one lowlight being a bungled pass with the Argentinian line beckoning, another being a braindead push on Matteo Carreras, which was lucky only to be a yellow. A day to forget for the Cardiff winger."
Wales Online 5/10: "Gave away a needless penalty on the stroke of half-time to gift Argentina points, and, even more crucially, momentum. Chased hard but the ball rarely came his way. A bad day at the office."
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