Erratic Jonny Sexton
A maverick?
By Gary Watton
March 17 2014
Ireland's flying fly half Jonny Sexton continues to fascinate me (in a non-sexual way, I must quickly add.) The Oirish maestro signed out of his team's triumphant Six Nations campaign with a pair of tries in each of the last two matches. His all-round contribution is not in question, but Sexton remains a frustrating, mercurial talent, capable of greatness and yet also error-prone.
Perhaps his relocation to Paris has destabilized him, but Sexton's performances in the recent Six Nations were both brilliant and erratic. Could it be that Irish rugby followers simply have to accept that with every genius, there is a fine line between heroism and folly. Maybe the Oirish contingent have to realise that with Jonny, the whole package includes moments of magic and moments of mediocrity. Let us consider the five most recent pieces of evidence.
Against Scotland, it took an exceptional run out of his own twenty-two by Jonny almost on the stroke of half time to arouse his team-mates and the crowd from their collective slumber. Sexton converted his kicks and produced a really solid performance.
In round two, Jonathan Davies paid a glowing tribute to Sexton's tactical kicking game which contrived to out-manoeuvre the dangerous Welsh. Several accurate goal kicks further reinforced the claim to greatness.
John Bull was now bracing himself for more Sexton magic, but Jonny did not hit the same heights at Twickenham. He hit the ball too long for his chasers to have any chance of arresting the fine counter-attacking of that fiendish Mike Brown and his chums. He then over-compensated by not kicking the ball far enough from a re-start. Yes he's human and yes it's an easy mistake to commit. However, when you're locked in close combat with your erstwhile foe, with the tussle hanging in the balance, then such an error proves more costly. The greatest players thrive on the highest challenges. Lesser mortals come up just short. Maybe Sexton's consistency will come with experience. Anyhow, Jonny tried to be clever on a couple of occasions at Twickenham, but he fluffed his lines. It could be that he recognised that a moment of inspiration could unlock the stalemate. This was a correction calculation. The trouble was that for once the execution wasn't there, and indeed his own team got executed.
At home to Italy, Sexton was in his element. He sprinted through for a couple of eye-catching tries as his team eventually threw off the Italian shackles and let their hair down. Sexton's collaboration with O'Driscoll was a key component of Ireland's impressive display. However, the more demanding obstacle of France in Paris still lay in ambush.
En France, the split personality of Jonny S was very much in evidence as he reverted to the Sexton of 2010 and 2011, namely an excruciatingly nervous goal-kicker. Someone has identified that Sexton has an issue with goal kicks to the right of the posts, which may be true. Sexton certainly took an eternity over his kicks, and one penalty miss just before half time was toe-curdlingly awful. It had all the appearance of a rugby equivalent of a golfer's putting "yips". Fortunately Jonny landed a decent penalty in the second half, but he also more than compensated with two tries. Although the second effort was merely a case of speeding through a yawning gap in the enemy defences, I thought that Mr S had plenty to do when he skipped and then powered his way over the line for his team's opening try. Then, to remind us of his all-round qualities, Sexton endangered his own life when he bravely confronted and stopped a rampaging Bastareaud.
In summary, Jonny Sexton reminds me of Tony Ward (and also Paul Dean). He is a game-changer who possesses the x factor. He is comfortable with ball in hand as he is at tactical kicking. His tackling ferocity matches his attacking instincts. He is blessed with a good supply of pace. He can also be an accurate place kicker. However, I am wondering out loud if Sexton could not equally excel at centre, allowing the more solid Madigan (and a second goal-kicker too) to play at fly half. One can also make an argument for young Paddy Jackson in the number 10 jersey, but his own attacking mentality and game is way too similar to Sexton's. I think that Madigan would be a good foil for Sexton. S and M could become the Ward and Campbell of the future. Paddy Jackson could be the game-changing replacement. How cool would that be?!
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