Ireland: Andy Farrell hopeful Johnny Sexton will be available for the second Test

Dylan Coetzee

Johnny Sextonof Ireland (Leinster) having words with his Team during Guinness six Nations match between England and Ireland, at Twickenham Stadium on 12th March, 2022 in London, England (Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell revealed that his captain Johnny Sexton may still play in the next Test after being replaced during the 42-19 defeat to the All Blacks.

Sexton was taken off and did not return after suffering a head knock in the game, but Farrell is hopeful his talisman will make it through the necessary protocols.

Hoping on Sexton

The fly-half has passed two of three stages of the head injury assessment protocols and needs to pass the third to be cleared to play.

Johnny is good, he is in fine spirits,” said Farrell.

“HIA (head injury assessment) two is passed, HIA three will hopefully be passed in a few days. If that happens, it’s concussion not confirmed.”

Despite being resoundingly beaten, Farrell can still take positives from the game after creating a decent amount of chances.

“I thought we brought them down pretty well from time to time,” he said.

“I think we deserve a bit of a pat on the back for that, for getting at least five opportunities to score. We’ll obviously have a look at reasons why we actually didn’t convert.

“There were a few held up, weren’t there? A few that were deemed short or whatever, and a knock-on or a fumble – the grounding wasn’t right with Joey apparently, but I’ve seen them given before.

“I thought we created quite a bit actually but you’ve got to score points against the All Blacks, there’s no doubt about that.”

Farrell questioned referee Karl Dickson’s performance and will seek further clarity regarding the breakdown.

“The interpretation of the breakdown, we need some answers as far as that’s concerned so we can put our own stuff right, because there are a few things that were going on there that we’ll need to get clarified,” said Farrell.

“There’s a depth to a ruck and there’s an entry to a ruck that we need confirming – let’s say it that way. Then once that’s confirmed, we’ll get our own act in order.”

All Blacks looking for more

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has given his side “a pass mark” as he believes improvements must be made after Ireland put his players under massive pressure at times.

“I thought we saw a very determined Irish team tonight,” he said. “They would have had enough glimpses of good moments in that first quarter particularly, and the way they finished, to walk away with a bit of hope.

“Whilst we were ruthless with where we scored points, we were put under a lot of pressure, and particularly defensively I would have given us just a pass mark. We allowed them too many opportunities to get in behind us.

“It was a very unique week and to be involved in coaching an All Blacks team from Zoom at home and still be married at the end of the week, I’m pretty satisfied.”

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