Rieko Ioane has kept his rivalry with Johnny Sexton alive, making waves ahead of the Autumn Nations Series by using none other than a song from Ireland’s own The Cranberries to taunt the retired Ireland playmaker.
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Ready for Round Two at the Aviva
The All Blacks’ centre is set to take the field against Ireland this Friday night at Dublin’s iconic Aviva Stadium. It’s a highly anticipated clash, exactly a year on from the Rugby World Cup quarter-final that left Irish hearts shattered, as New Zealand emerged victorious in a nail-biting 28-24 win.
Zombie Anthem: Ioane’s Social Media Move
Last month, Ioane reignited their feud through Instagram, posting a photo of himself in the midst of his fiery exchange with Sexton from that quarter-final. Accompanying the image? The Cranberries’ haunting hit Zombie, a song that’s become synonymous with Irish rugby and a beloved anthem throughout Ireland’s 2023 World Cup run. To top it off, Ioane added a joker playing card emoji—a cheeky nod, perhaps, to his ongoing back-and-forth with the Irish legend.
Sexton Fires First in His Book
The Instagram post didn’t come out of nowhere. Ioane’s response followed remarks Sexton made in his autobiography Obsessed – The Autobiography of Johnny Sexton, in which he didn’t hold back on sharing his side of the intense aftermath from last year’s quarter-final defeat.
“Back Ten Metres” – The Infamous Exchange
According to Sexton, the tension boiled over at the final whistle. The Times recently published excerpts from his book, in which he details their heated words: “As I stand there, hands on hips, staring in disbelief at (referee Wayne) Barnes, Rieko Ioane still comes up to me and tells me, ‘Get back ten metres.’ Huh?”
He continues: “Penalty,” Ioane insists. And when the game ended, Ioane delivered one final jab: “Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c….” Sexton took the exchange personally, questioning the All Blacks’ celebrated “no d…heads” policy and calling Ioane a “fake-humble f…er” in the moment. Even Sexton admits it wasn’t his finest hour.
Sexton Still on the Scene
Despite stepping away from professional rugby after the World Cup, Sexton remains heavily involved with Ireland’s squad. In preparation for the Autumn Nations Series, he’s been seen visiting Andy Farrell’s camp, sharing his wealth of experience with the team. Ireland are gearing up for a series of tests at the Aviva, hosting heavyweights like New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, and Australia. With the tension building, it’s safe to say the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Ioane and his ongoing feud with Ireland’s rugby icon.
Bookies Reckon This is the Lions Squad for the 2025 Aussie Tour – And Some Picks Will Surprise You
The British & Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025 is generating excitement, with bookies now tipping a likely squad.
While a few seasoned players seem almost guaranteed, there are some unexpected names rumored to earn their stripes.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
The back-three boasts a dynamic mix, with Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe bringing powerful running and finishing ability. Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are tipped to add youthful flair and speed, while Hugo Keenan and Darcy Graham round out the squad with their solid defensive skills.
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
In the centre, Bundee Aki is a strong favorite for his physicality, while Ollie Lawrence has made a name for himself with his impressive form. Sione Tuipulotu and Robbie Henshaw provide additional versatility and experience.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
The fly-half selection highlights Finn Russell’s creativity and flair, with Marcus Smith and George Ford both showcasing tactical nous and playmaking ability.
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- George Ford (England) – 8/11
SCRUM-HALVES (3)
A competitive scrum-half group sees Jamison Gibson-Park favored for his quick service and decision-making, while Alex Mitchell and Ben White are both strong contenders.
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) – 8/11
- Alex Mitchell (England) – 11/10
- Ben White (Scotland) – 11/10
PROP (3)
The front row is anchored by stalwarts like Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, while Ellis Genge and Joe Marler add depth and experience.
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 1/8
- Andrew Porter (Ireland) – 1/7
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland) – 4/11
- Ellis Genge (England) – 4/6
- Joe Marler (England) – 5/6
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) – 5/4
HOOKER (3)
With Dan Sheehan leading the way, the hookers are expected to be agile and mobile, crucial for the fast-paced style of play the Lions aim to adopt.
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – 1/10
- Jamie George (England) – 8/15
- Elliot Dee (Wales) – 6/5
LOCK (5)
In the locks, Maro Itoje remains a cornerstone, complemented by Tadhg Beirne’s athleticism and versatility.
- Maro Itoje (England) – 1/33
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) – 1/10
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 4/6
- Ollie Chessum (England) – 8/11
- George Martin (England) – 11/10
BACK-ROW (6)
Finally, the back row combines experience and dynamism, with Josh van der Flier and Courtney Lawes bringing a wealth of international experience and physicality.
- Caelan Doris (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ben Earl (England) – 1/5
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – 1/3
- Courtney Lawes (England) – 8/15
- Tommy Reffell (Wales) – 4/6
- Rory Darge (Scotland) – 6/4
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EDITORS PICKS:
- Huge blow for Scotland as Darcy Graham will miss Springboks clash
- RFU issues statements in defence of former boss Eddie Jones after allegations surface
- England team to play Australia: Borthwick names XV early again
- Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll went viral for incident at an airport
- England forward has been handed a big ban following altercation with a fan
