Johnny Sexton's Tongue-In-Cheek Response To Leinster's Rieko Ioane Signing
Johnny Sexton's Tongue-In-Cheek Response To Leinster's Rieko Ioane Signing
Johnny Sexton jokes he’s switching to Munster support after Leinster signs rival Rieko Ioane, reigniting their World Cup feud with trademark wit.
Johnny Sexton may have hung up the boots, but the fire still burns bright and, it seems, so does the banter.
The former Ireland and Leinster captain couldn’t resist a trademark jibe when asked about Leinster’s headline-grabbing signing of All Blacks center Rieko Ioane for next season.
The Kiwi star, who had more than a few fiery exchanges with Sexton during and after New Zealand’s World Cup quarterfinal win over Ireland in 2023, will arrive in Dublin on a short-term deal in a move that surprised many, not least Sexton.
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“Wow, save the best [question] for last,” Sexton chuckled during Monday’s Lions media session in UCD. “I purchased my Munster season ticket last week, put it that way.”
Cue laughter from the room and a flood of social media reactions. But this wasn’t just a wisecrack from the now-39-year-old Lions assistant coach. It was vintage Sexton: barbed, hilarious and unmistakably deliberate.
For context, Sexton’s relationship with Ioane could generously be described as frosty.
The duo clashed during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, with tensions spilling over in the post-match chaos and lingering long after.
Sexton’s autobiography, released in late 2024, offered his side of that heated encounter—and Ioane responded with a few eyebrow-raising Instagram stories and a standout performance in New Zealand’s win over Ireland at the Aviva last November.
So, naturally, when Sexton’s Leinster announced that Ioane would join on a sabbatical-style deal for the 2025-2026 season, jaws dropped and eyebrows raised.
Ioane following in the footsteps of Jordie Barrett is one thing; doing it in the heartland of the man you famously fell out with? Now that’s rugby theatre.
And Sexton, son of a Kerryman and no stranger to a Munster jibe, seized the opportunity with both hands.
Though clearly tongue-in-cheek, the comment lit up the Irish rugby scene.
Munster fans were quick to embrace their “newest supporter” with memes, including one from Munster's official account, which proved his former rivals were keen to have him on board.
Speaking more seriously about his coaching role with the Lions, Sexton admitted the adjustment from player to coach hasn’t been without its challenges.
“Obviously, I know these guys really well,” he said. “But that brings its own difficulties—you have to strike that balance between familiarity and authority.”
Still, if Monday’s session was anything to go by, Sexton is taking to the role with typical intensity—and humor.
As for Ioane’s arrival in Leinster? Sexton might not be at the RDS to welcome him with open arms, but something says we haven’t heard the last of their rivalry. Rugby fans, stock up on popcorn.
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