Ireland's recent success against New Zealand will be irrelevant in quarter-final - Johnny Sexton
Johnny Sexton says Ireland have huge respect for their quarter-final opponents New Zealand
©Johnny Sexton says Ireland have huge respect for their quarter-final opponents New Zealand
Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton reckons their recent success against New Zealand will not be an influential matter as the two teams lock horns in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup in Saint-Denis on Saturday.
Ireland have won three out of the last five games against the All Blacks that also includes handing them their first-ever home series defeat following wins in Dunedin and Wellington in July last year.
Their consistent performances has seen them rise to the number one position in the World Rugby Rankings with Ian Foster's men slipping to fourth place.
Despite having one of the best success ration against New Zealand in recent times, Sexton is wary of the threat they possess especially in big tournaments like World Cup.
"I’ve had some great battles with New Zealand over the years with Ireland and the Lions," said Sexton.
"What you learn is that every game is as tough as the last, no matter what the result. That’s what we’re preparing for - the toughest game we’ve ever faced.
"We’re trying to put ourselves in the frame of mind that we’re going to be ready for it."
Ireland have never won a quarter-final in a World Cup previously with All Blacks also defeating them in the 2019 edition at the same stage but Sexton is hoping for a turnaround this time.
"You can look at the last few games, you can say the last time we played them in the quarter-final we got beaten out the gate, it doesn’t really matter," said the 38-year-old skipper.
"The players, despite us winning the series down there, know they were incredibly tough games. So they know what’s coming - they know how tough it’s going to be.
"That’s the most important thing - the physicality that New Zealand bring, the pace they play at, they’re all the things we talk about.
"We’re not talking about who’s won this or who’s won…we’re very much focused on this weekend and what we expect from them.
“That’s said with the utmost respect because we don’t respect teams more than we do the All Blacks. Their record speaks for itself, really.”
