Chris Collyer: Can Rieko Ioane earn Johnny Sexton’s forgiveness by signing for Leinster?

URC Champions Leinster lifted their first trophy in four years this year and have not only set their sights on defending their long overdue prize but also aim to once again become Kings of Europe.

Part of the reason for Leo Cullen’s team’s success this year is the signing of star-studded overseas players RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett.

With Barrett signing off with his head held high, Leinster have signed another established All Black for the upcoming season, a signing that has divided many Leinster supporters.

Rieko Ioane, who can play at centre or wing, was involved in a controversial and well-documented altercation with Leinster and Ireland talisman Johnny Sexton at the end of the World Cup Quarter Finals in 2023.

Altercation

After suffering yet another quarter-final exit, a game that many believed would be the game for Ireland to finally break the curse, Ioane approached the shell-shocked Sexton and remarked, “Don’t miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you ****”.

Ioane’s actions were widely condemned by the rugby community and were labelled as “classless” and “not in the spirit of the game”.

It would take something of a miracle for the Kiwi to earn the respect of Ireland’s highest point-scoring fly-half.

Would a fifth star do the trick?

Shortly before the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, the news broke of Sexton’s return to rugby in a coaching capacity for Ireland and Andy Farrell’s Lions.

Whilst on the tour, he offered expert advice and training for the kickers and seems well-suited to the new coaching role.

When asked his opinion of Leinster’s new signing he replied: “I’ve purchased my Munster season ticket.”

No love lost there.

From what was revealed in Sexton’s autobiography “Obsessed” along with what the fly-half has said publicly, Ioane’s words are still a sore point, and although Sexton isn’t directly involved with Leinster’s coaching setup currently, it’s fair to say that Sexton’s name is up there in club legend alongside players such as Brian O’Driscoll and Denis Hickie.

Leinster Fans

The majority of Leinster supporters have nothing but praise and respect for Sexton, and it’s no surprise that many of the blue army have taken his side in this feud.

Many fans are still scratching their heads at Ioane’s signing.

An established player in his own right, the Kiwi is currently representing his country in the Southern Hemisphere’s Rugby Championship and was involved in last week’s game, which saw the All Blacks lose to Argentina for the first time ever on Argentinian soil.

How will Rieko Ioane be welcomed into the RDS Area?

Two years have passed since Ireland’s shock World Cup exit, and with it Johnny Sexton’s retirement from professional rugby.

After a brief spell out of the game in the world of finance, it didn’t take long for Sexton to return to rugby and no doubt he will be watching Leinster closely this season.

If Ioane proves integral to obtaining that fifth star, will we see the hatchet buried, or will there forever be controversy?

By Chris Collyer

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