Johnny Sexton embarrassed by Ireland team-mates on flight home from Rugby World Cup loss
Following Ireland’s catastrophic Rugby World Cup loss to New Zealand, Johnny Sexton decided to hang up his boots.
On a crowded flight from the Rugby World Cup home, Ireland’s athletes made fun of retiring captain Johnny Sexton. After being eliminated by New Zealand from the competition, Jack Conan took leadership of the antics as the team tried to make light of a bad situation.
Sexton wanted to end his rugby career as a professional on a high note by leading Ireland to victory in France. They made a statement by defeating the defending champion South Africa in the pool round, but ultimately lost to the All Blacks in the quarterfinal.
Inflicting a somber finish to his career, the 28-24 loss prevented Sexton from leading Ireland to their first-ever Rugby World Cup semifinal. After the final buzzer, the 38-year-old, who was obviously upset, said: “It’s small margins and that’s sport. That is life. Isn’t it heartbreaking?
On Monday, however, the boys in green were returning from France, and Conan was speaking to the passengers over the intercom. This helped to lift everyone’s spirits.
Johnny Sexton was mocked by Jack Conan on the plane home from the Rugby World Cup.
In a video that has been making the rounds on social media, he stated, “Everyone move up and congratulate [Sexton] personally.” “Single-file please. Come over and give him a hug, a kiss, and a pat on the back; he would adore that.
He will be ecstatic. Johnny is absolutely thrilled to meet everyone and will happily take pictures, answer questions, or do whatever else you ask. Today, he has plenty of time for everyone. Please take your time, approach him, and greet him. He simply cannot contain his excitement.
Sexton finished his career with a staggering 1,108 points in 119 games for Ireland in addition to successful stints with Leinster and Racing 92 at the club level. After the heartbreaking loss to New Zealand, Conan gave the 38-year-old a heartfelt tribute.
“We’re genuinely just gutted that we couldn’t do it for Johnny,” he stated. “He is someone who has given so much and deserves so much for the sacrifices he has made, for the player and man he is, and for the leader he is.
After Ireland’s Rugby World Cup exit, Jack Conan paid Johnny Sexton tribute (Image: Getty).
The hardest thing to accept is that we didn’t give him the send-off he deserved after being everything wonderful about Irish rugby for almost 20 years. He is the standard-setter, the one who sets the direction, and the one against whom we evaluate ourselves.
The Rugby World Cup semi-finals will take place later this week, and Ireland will be forced to watch from home. Before a huge match between England and South Africa on Saturday, Argentina plays the All Blacks on Friday night.
