History made. Pure passion.
When it comes down to the championship minutes, there’s no denying that this Irish team have the steel to get things over the line. After so many near misses and heartbreaks, every single rugby supporter can finally say it…Ireland have beaten the All Blacks on our home turf.
Over the years, we’ve been treated to O’Gara’s dramatic drop goal in ’09, Sexton’s monstrous boot that stuck the dagger into the French hearts during the most recent Six Nations, and countless others.
This being said, a game can be won and turned on so many small moments and with the captain’s arm band proudly draped on his green jersey, Sexton got the adrenaline pumping and voices roaring in a way that we’ve seldom seen from the Leinster fly-half.
Granted, he wasn’t too bad with the boot also – Sexton notched three penalties and a conversion – but t’s arguable that one contribution of his in this famous game will be more remembered than most.
With seven minutes left on the clock, the All Blacks were desperately scrambling for possession as they chased the seven point deficit to draw the game.
Deep in their own 22, Ben Smith retrieved a bouncing ball but he didn’t have any time to pick a pass or boot the ball into Irish territory. Like a ferocious wrecking ball, Jacob Stockdale wrapped Smith up and carried him over to the sideline.
At this point, Sexton came crashing in to support his teammate and with momentum firmly with Ireland, this was one of those small moments when history seemed that little bit closer.
Did it mean much to Sexton? Well, he celebrated this tackle like that famous drop goal in Paris.
We’ll never get tired of seeing this.
Every. Inch. Matters! https://t.co/S4xUIVmxVk #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/CwYLOyaays
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 17, 2018
