Ian McKinley praised Johnny Sexton for a moment of "clever captaincy" during Ireland's Rugby World Cup victory over South Africa on Saturday.
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In the 29th minute, with South Africa leading Ireland 3-0, Sexton had a word with referee Ben O'Keeffe about his officiating. Moments earlier, the New Zealand referee had advised South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit that he was about to give away a penalty.
"I understand you want a free-flowing game but you can’t coach them out of a penalty. If he's offside, he's offside," Sexton told O'Keeffe as the players awaited a scrum.
"Yeah, yeah, I agree," replied O'Keeffe
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"Johnny has been questioned in previous years on his communication with referees," former Italy and Leinster out-half McKinley told Virgin Media, "whether it's been since the ban, whether it's the last few games in his illustrious career, but it just shows the experience and the leadership.
"We can see the penalties from it. Because of that intervention, maybe in the back of Ben O'Keeffe's mind, he has given those decisions Ireland's way. They go in at half-time ahead.
"Four penalties on the bounce with simple, clear communication. It's not often you hear a referee agreeing in that manner with a captain.
"Small little snippets like that show it's not only his decision-making and ability on the field, it's that sort of clever captaincy that makes such a massive difference."
23 September 2023; Jonathan Sexton of Ireland appeals to referee Ben O'Keeffe during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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Matt Williams joked that Sexton has "probably learnt from how he spoke to Jaco Peyper after the Heineken Cup final!"
"He's got a few lessons. [Owen] Farrell went to tackle school and [Johnny Sexton] went to 'How to talk to referees school'," said Williams.
"That's South Africa's game - I admire their game - but they will slow you down. They have to slow Ireland's ball because if Ireland get fast ball, which they want, it puts [the South Africa] defence under pressure.
"They were slowing it down legally and as close to illegally as you get and Johnny just said 'Hang on, that's a penalty, you are talking them out of a penalty'. It's a very fair comment."
On the 28th minute on Saturday night in Paris, Johnny Sexton spoke to referee Ben O'Keeffe about "coaching" the Springboks out of penalties. The next four penalties all went Ireland's way.
Ian McKinley, Matt Williams and Rob Kearney discuss the moment here.#RSAvIRE #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/nqGQAPqpRT
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 28, 2023
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