Ireland will bid farewell to promising players such as Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls. Are we about to say goodbye?; Andy Farrell: “Unfortunately this is the end for this team, but we will keep trying.” Warren Gatland: After leaving Pumas, I want to stay in Wales and rebuild. “We have made good progress.”
0:23, UK, Sunday 15 October 2023
Let’s see what Ireland and Wales do next after suffering very disappointing defeats to New Zealand and Argentina in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday…
Ireland says goodbye to stalwarts Sexton and Earls | Are we saying goodbye soon?
Ireland suffered the devil of a draw in this World Cup, but their form over the past two years, their No. 1 ranking in the world, and the wins they’ve won, many believe this is Ireland’s chance to win a World Cup. I thought this was the best chance to do so. cup.
In the end, they were defeated in the quarterfinals for the eighth time in their history, and are still waiting to advance to the World Cup semifinals.
Head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that captain, playmaker and arguably the greatest player of all time Johnny Sexton will retire after the defeat, while Munster and Ireland legend Keith Earls will also step down. admitted.
Other key campaigners – Bundy Aki, 33, Peter O’Mahony, 34, and Conor Murray, 34 – are also almost certain to be gone by the time of the next World Cup in Australia in 2027. However, they aren’t going anywhere for now.
Even players like 31-year-old Bucks Jamison Gibson-Park and James Rowe, and 31-year-old rock duo Tadhg Balin and Ian Henderson, could very well be retired by Australia. In four years we will be a completely different team and will have to make some effort to match the quality and performance of this team in 2023.
The Six Nations Grand Slammers won the Test series in New Zealand, won 17 Tests in a row, and yet the World Cup proved their kryptonite.
“You have to work hard to get a fairytale ending and we didn’t get it, but that’s life,” an emotional Sexton said after the game. He also praised the talent of the upcoming addition to the team.
Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Caelan Doris and Hugo Keenan are all in their mid-twenties and are set to lead Ireland into a new era.
Farrell: We will continue to take on challenges.
Ireland head coach Farrell, who has expressed his pride for his players many times after the match, said: “The sad thing for us right now is that this is probably the end of this team, and it’s because of Johnny.” , Keith Earls is leaving.” Things will change.
“Over the next 24 hours, it is time to put smiles back on our faces as soon as possible and celebrate their incredible careers and the contribution they have made to Irish rugby.
“It was close and all that. I crossed the line at the maul at the end, but this could have been the deciding factor.
“At the end of the day we had two good teams playing outstanding rugby. Unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Sport can be cruel. That’s why I… We love sports so much.”
However, Farrell was adamant that he believed Ireland would challenge for major honors again. There is no doubt that the challenge of finally overcoming the spell of the World Cup quarter-finals is at the forefront of his mind.
He looked visibly hurt in the post-match press conference, but a proud and satisfied Ireland defended their shield and gave their all, and could not have made a better contribution.
“I’m so proud of everyone involved in Irish rugby. The staff have been invaluable over the last four years,” Farrell said.
“It’s been a lot of fun working with not only the players on this team, but also the players we’ve had over the four-year cycle. Not only that, but also with the connection with the fans, everyone is coming together as one. It’s like a big family.”
“This team is over because people are leaving, but the competition that this team has built over the years will definitely continue because of the way this team has been run the last few years.”
“The talent we have in Ireland will continue to develop and challenge us. I have no doubt about that.”
Gatland: “I want to stay in Wales and rebuild”
After Wales’ very disappointing exit in Marseille’s game against Argentina, head coach Warren Gatland admitted there was a clause in his contract that meant he could have left, but vowed to stay and rebuild.
Although the draw at this World Cup was very comfortable, Gatland admitted the defeat felt like a “missed opportunity”.
Sky Sports’ James Cole reacts to Wales’ loss to Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals
“I want to take this group even further,” Gatland said after the match. “There is a clause, but I don’t know what the specific wording is. I haven’t actually read it.”
“I absolutely want to get through with this group, but if the union wants to get rid of me, they have the perfect right to do so. That’s up to them.
“I’m very disappointed because I missed the opportunity.
Warren Gatland admits he doesn’t know the terms of his contract regarding his future as Wales head coach
“We weren’t at our best, but we still had a chance to win. We’re disappointed that we missed out.
“With the way we trained, we went into this game thinking that if we played correctly we could make it to the semifinals. But that wasn’t to be. That’s sport.”
“But I’m very proud of the effort that everyone has put in. We’ve made good progress but we need to make sure we continue on our path to the Six Nations and don’t turn back. That is the challenge.”
“This is an exciting group, but we have to learn. We have to look at ‘how do we improve and develop from this?'” And learn. ”