Johnny Sexton Slams ‘Fake-Humble F****r’ Rieko Ioane as Ireland Legend Opens Up on Rugby World Cup Rant
In a dramatic revelation from his new autobiography,
, Johnny Sexton has reignited the flames of his fiery post-match clash with All Blacks center Rieko Ioane after Ireland’s devastating 28-24 defeat to New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The defeat marked the end of Sexton’s illustrious career, but it was what happened after the final whistle that has grabbed headlines. Sexton’s book pulls no punches, giving fans an inside look into the emotional confrontation that followed one of the biggest heartbreaks in Irish rugby history.
Ireland came into the 2023 Rugby World Cup as one of the top contenders, ranked No. 1 in the world, and hopes were high that they could finally break their quarter-final curse. However, after a tense and closely-fought match, the All Blacks managed to edge past them, ending Ireland’s campaign once again at the last-eight stage. For Sexton, who had already announced his retirement from international rugby, the loss was especially crushing.
As emotions boiled over, cameras caught Sexton shouting at the All Blacks players. Now, in his book, he has detailed exactly what happened. According to Sexton, Rieko Ioane approached him right after the match and delivered a cutting comment: “Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c***.” This remark, coming on the heels of a heart-wrenching loss, pushed Sexton over the edge. He fired back at Ioane, calling him a “fake-humble f**r,” alluding to the All Blacks’ much-touted “no d
*heads” policy.
Sexton’s reaction may have seemed intense, but in the context of the game, it was understandable. The match was decided by fine margins, and Sexton continues to believe that a crucial referee decision cost Ireland the victory. He references a pivotal moment involving Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, claiming Whitelock should have been penalized for not releasing the ball. “It finishes the same way every time. Rónan Kelleher ploughs into Brodie Retallick, and Sam Whitelock goes for the poach without releasing.
Somehow, Wayne Barnes awards the penalty, and it’s all over,” he wrote.
What made the defeat even harder for Sexton was Ioane’s remark. The All Blacks are known for their humility, and the “no d***heads” policy has been celebrated as a cultural pillar of the team. But Sexton felt that Ioane’s taunt showed a lack of grace and sportsmanship in victory, contrasting sharply with how other All Blacks handled the situation. “So much for their humility,” Sexton remarked sarcastically in his book.
While Ioane may have been the focus of Sexton’s frustration, he made it clear that not all the All Blacks acted in the same way. Sexton praised coach Joe Schmidt, a former Ireland head coach who had moved to the All Blacks setup, for being “gracious in victory.” He also acknowledged the sportsmanship shown by Beauden, Scott, and Jordie Barrett, as well as Ardie Savea, who all offered him kind words after the game. “The Barrett brothers and Ardie Savea were real gentlemen,” Sexton noted, highlighting that not every member of the New Zealand squad behaved like Ioane.
The feud between Sexton and Ioane has sparked debate among fans, but former All Black Israel Dagg has weighed in to defend his teammate. According to Dagg, Ioane’s comments were simply part of the competitive nature of rugby. He pointed out that Irish players had also dished out their share of trash talk in previous encounters, particularly after their series win over New Zealand in 2022. “When you fire something, you’ve got to expect a return, and that’s what happened here,” Dagg commented, suggesting that Ireland’s players should have been prepared for Ioane’s remarks after the quarter-final loss.
Dagg also clarified the All Blacks’ “no dhead to your teammates. When it comes to opposition, sledging is part of the game,” Dagg explained. For him, Ioane’s comments were simply a natural response to the intense rivalry between the two teams.
With Johnny Sexton now retired, it’s unlikely we’ll see a direct sequel to this particular confrontation. However, his autobiography has ensured that the rivalry between Ireland and New Zealand remains as intense as ever.
Even though Sexton has hung up his boots, his words have left a lasting impression, and fans will be eager to see how this ongoing tension plays out in future encounters between the two rugby powerhouses.
Do you think Johnny Sexton’s reaction was justified, or is sledging just part of the game? Share your thoughts with us below!
