Excerpts of Johnny Sexton's autobiography have reached New Zealand in the past 48 hours, and according to all accounts, they have united the Kiwi public behind Rieko Ioane.
Sexton has provided some details on the conversation between himself and Ioane in the final moments of Ireland's World Cup quarterfinal loss to New Zealand.
Sexton lost the plot after the final whistle, and we now have his version of events of what he and Ioane said to each other.
The All Blacks famously operate a 'no dickheads' policy and Sexton's version of events calls that into question, although it's possible for years that policy is aspirational.
SEE ALSO: 'I Split Him Open' - Johnny Sexton Took O'Gara Frustrations Out On Leo Cullen In Dunedin
Israel Dagg on Johnny Sexton: 'Give it a rest'
66-cap New Zealand international Israel Dagg was on SENZ's Scotty & Izzy show this week and gave a good sense of the mood towards Sexton in New Zealand.
Likening Sexton to a pimple before reading out a crude text from a listener, Dagg's feeling is that Sexton had it coming - both because of the way he carried himself on the pitch, and the words Peter O'Mahony had for Sam Cane after Ireland won the New Zealand series in 2022.
"Just accept it, mate. Give it a rest.
"Ireland tend to throw a lot of chat out there because they're winning in between World Cups, but come World Cups - you just don't. You don't win it.
"Obviously the comments were pretty harsh and they probably hurt your feelings. But you were retiring.
"People don't forget when you toured New Zealand and you said some things to our very own All Blacks. They're going to bottle that up for the big occasions.
"They bottled it up nicely and you guys bottled it over there in the quarter-finals. That's just the way it goes."
Dagg also explained how the 'no dickhead' policy does not preclude players from talking trash.
"There's a 'no dickhead' policy in the brotherhood - between each other and in the environment, in amongst their own team-mates. It's not about you. It's not about the Irish team and not being a dickhead to them or the English team.
"We carry ourselves in a way that we don't want to sound arrogant. We want to show humility a little bit. But when you fire something, you've got to expect a return, and that's what's happened here.
"(Ioane) is standing up for Sammy Cane and Brodie Retallick. Pete O'Mahony threw out some chat. Well, you just lost the quarter-final - time to go home."
It's worth mentioning that while Peter O'Mahony said something to Sam Cane in the second half of that final Test in 2022, the Richie McCaw quote has never actually been attributed to him.
You can listen to the full segment here.
Dagg had his own run-ins with Sexton so his stance is no surprise. It's just a pity Sexton couldn't come out of retirement for one game to play New Zealand on 8 November.
