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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said he hopes the ongoing feud between his side’s former captain Johnny Sexton and All Blacks center Rieko Ioane will liven up Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Test between the sides at the Aviva Stadium.
Sexton and Ioane were involved in a war of words during the latter stages and after the final whistle during the previous clash between the sides – last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final, which the All Blacks won.
Ioaan was seen mockingly Koster after the final whistle and the legendary fly-half, who made 118 Test appearances Ireland between 2009 and 2023 revealed details of the altercation in his book, Obsession.
Last month, Ioane responded to the book’s excerpts being published by posting an image of him and Sexton on Instagram from that game, with the Cranberries song ‘Zombie’ played over the top.
That World Cup match was Sexton’s last match for his country and although he will not be in action on Saturday, Farrell expect the spit to add some spice to the game.
“That’s what normally happens when the All Blacks come into town.”
“Hopefully. That’s what everyone wants, right? That’s what everyone wants,” he said. They want it too. That’s what normally happens when the All blacks just come to town.
“I haven’t seen it any other way, so I think Irish rugby is in a good place.
“I think everyone knows New Zealand is always the team to beat, so I expect it to be as good as ever, if not better.”
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Ireland have had the upper hand in recent meetings with New Zealand as they have won five of the last nine matches between the teams, although the All Blacks won the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the men from the Emerald Isle in Japan . and France in 2023.
The last match between these sides was that much-discussed meeting at last year’s global showpiece in Paris, but despite their defeat in that match, Farrell said his side are not seeking revenge.
“No, it isn’t. That’s the truth,” Farrell said. “Do you need that when you play against one of the best teams in the world? I mean, everyone knows this is the truth.
“So we constantly want to be at the top and compete with the best, so if that’s not motivation in itself… I mean playing against the All Blacks has always given that edge to any type of game. This is a top-level Test match that everyone wants to be involved in.
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‘A lot of water has disappeared under the bridge’
“So, revenge a year ago… a lot of rugby has been played. A lot of water has also disappeared under the bridge. In any case, it doesn’t even matter to us.”
Farrell announced his team on Wednesday and there were some interesting selection conversations, but Farrell is happy with the matchday 23 he has chosen.
“It is what it is. You can’t pull a rabbit out of the hat and throw people in if they’re not ready,” he added.
“It’s a big test match. You act accordingly on what is in front of you and what you have.
“We’re not South Africa, England or New Zealand because there are thousands of players you can just throw in and see how it goes. It’s not like that here.
“Take care of the here and now, the medium term is always around the corner and there is always planning in and around all of that and the long term can take care of itself.”
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