{"id":26822,"date":"2022-07-17T12:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-17T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26822"},"modified":"2022-07-18T12:58:50","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T16:58:50","slug":"sexton-calls-on-ireland-to-just-keep-getting-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26822","title":{"rendered":"Sexton Calls On Ireland To ‘Just Keep Getting Better’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Johnny Sexton celebrates Ireland’s historic series win in New Zealand (AP\/Press Association Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Captain Johnny Sexton has warned Ireland against complacency ahead of next year\u2019s World Cup following a momentous series win in New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andy Farrell\u2019s men underlined their credentials for the 2023 tournament in France by clinching a historic tour success against the All Blacks courtesy of Saturday\u2019s pulsating 32-22 victory in Wellington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexton, who surpassed 1,000 career points for his country in the Test decider, has repeatedly said the Irish must not repeat previous mistakes by peaking too soon for a World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the influential fly-half also stressed that his side cannot afford to ease off before attempting to hit top form when it matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a summer break, Ireland\u2019s players will reconvene for Dublin clashes against world champions South Africa, Fiji and Australia in the autumn before preparing for another shot at Six Nations glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a full season to play and it shouldn\u2019t be \u2018beat New Zealand and let\u2019s wait for the World Cup\u2019,\u201d said Sexton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s plenty more to play. There are big home games in November, there\u2019s a Six Nations to play where we still haven\u2019t achieved things we want to achieve in that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe got a Triple Crown this year but a championship or better would be something we\u2019re aiming for, so there\u2019s no reason why we shouldn\u2019t be trying to progress and do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very Irish to think \u2018oh, we have to take it easy now until the World Cup\u2019. No, let\u2019s keep making the most of it, let\u2019s keep getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexton kicked 12 crucial points at Sky Stadium as Ireland, who lost the Auckland opener before levelling matters in Dunedin, completed a remarkable series turnaround to move top of the world rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He consequently became only the second man \u2013 after former number 10 rival Ronan O\u2019Gara \u2013 to reach four figures in the green jersey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Leinster veteran is acutely aware of the responsibility he has in maintaining standards moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat has to be driven by me as captain and the rest of the leadership group,\u201d continued Sexton, who celebrated his 37th birthday at the start of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo turn up, show the right attitude in September when we\u2019re back playing for our provinces. Just keep getting better, that\u2019s the key.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexton, the 2018 world player of the year, ranked overcoming the All Blacks on New Zealand soil among the finest moments of his distinguished career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the landmark series, he is eager to preserve the future of three-Test tours amid ongoing discussions about potential changes to the international calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s right up there, of course,\u201d Sexton said of the 2-1 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery time you play for Ireland it is incredibly special and to do something that no team has ever done before\u2026will we ever get a chance to play three Tests in New Zealand again? I\u2019m not sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf this world league idea comes in we\u2019ll be playing one Test all over the shop but I think the three-Test series is special and that\u2019s proven by this game. It would be a shame to get rid of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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