58 minutes in Chicago, 17 in Dublin.
All told, Ireland had their first choice outhalf on the pitch for 75 minutes of their two massive Tests against the All Blacks. When he was on, he was good. He just wasn’t on for long enough.
And no-one is really surprised.
Ireland play better when Johnny Sexton is there. This is his team; his backline.
Sexton is so often Ireland’s driving force. His passing, directing, kicking and general awareness of the match conditions were excellent at Soldier Field. He also made one memorable pounce and turnover on Ben Smith in the second half.
When I think of Sexton in that 40-29 victory, I think of that turnover, I think of his first penalty [not far off the placement of his 2013 miss] and I think of his pass for Simon Zebo’s try. A few other images stand out – Sexton getting treatment on three occasions.
There was a kick at the sticks held up for a minute in the first half as Sexton’s legs were stretched by the physio. He got up and landed it. Same situation in the second half but Mathieu Raynal was not waiting. Fortunately, Conor Murray stepped up and held his nerve.
Sexton lasted two more minutes before he was taken off. We suspected it was his hamstring but were assured it was merely a case of cramp. Sexton cramped after 33 minutes and again after 56. Joey Carbery was on for his debut.
The Leinster man had two weeks to recover from his Chicago cramps but his hamstrings got him at the Aviva Stadium. The twang came after 18 minutes, on his first meaningful attacking carry.
As soon as Sexton floated a pass to Zebo, he knew his right hamstring was gone.
Bravely, he put in a tackle and cleared out a ruck. As soon as there was a break in play, he took a seat on the pitch. The medics called time almost as soon as they reached him and Paddy Jackson was on. The Ulster outhalf did okay but he lacked incisive punch.
After the game, we asked Schmidt if, given Sexton’s ongoing hamstring issues [dating back to 2013], whether it was worth sitting him out for a prolonged period until it was fixed. He replied:
“It’s his other hamstring. So it’s not the previously-injured hamstring, it was the other one. I think having time out of the game won’t necessarily solve that.
“He has got fairly skinny legs, we could put a bit more meat on them maybe, and that might help.
“It’s one of those unfortunate things on the day. He warmed up well, he felt good before the game, I thought he started well in the game and it was disappointing to lose him. But I don’t think putting him out of the game for a prolonged period is the solution.
“We’ll get it assessed and whether he’s available next week or not will be determined by the medical staff, who we have a lot of faith in.”
His other hamstring. That’s a relief.
Interestingly enough, it is the same hamstring he suffered a grade one tear to after 40 minutes of a home loss to Australia in November 2013.
Modern outhalves rarely finish games. Sexton has finished one of his last 20 Test appearances [against Italy in 2015, although he was sin-binned in the 76th minute against Scotland earlier this year].
Joe Schmidt’s game-plan rests heavily on his No.10. It was good to see Paddy Jackson get the experience in South Africa over the summer. Either Jackson or Joey Carbery could benefit from a start against Australia next week.
Solely relying on Sexton will do us no good in the long run.
The player himself will be eager to start next week if he can. Fit, half fit or not fit at all, Schmidt should leave him out.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
