Ireland coach Andy Farrell: Sport can be tough

How do you analyze this defeat?
It’s down to a few things, like getting fouled near the try line, or getting hit too late at the end of the game, which could have allowed us to go ahead. When New Zealand presses and scores on the easy penalties we give them… we’ve seen this team too many times in these situations where the game slips away! There were two good teams who played great rugby and unfortunately we finished on the wrong side. Sports can be tough sometimes. I’ll see it more clearly in a few days, but I’m proud of this group, and the way they conducted themselves throughout the World Cup, as players, as men.

Andrew Porter suffered at the party…
We analyzed things differently but we don’t want bitter words here, we want to congratulate New Zealand’s performance, it was worthy of a final. The crowd was part of the equation, Porter was very frustrating but we don’t want to be bad players, we want to keep our heads up.

How do you view the end of Johnny Sexton’s career?
Many players are still learning. I told them in the locker room after the game that the reason I knew they were going to stick around was because of the guy next to me (Johnny Sexton), who had an unbelievable influence, who acted like a leader. He has shown his love of playing for Ireland, and this group will remember him for years to come. Through his example, young people will continue to improve.

How do you feel after leaving the World Cup?
I’m proud of everyone at Irish Rugby, the staff who have been fantastic over the last four years, the players, the connection with the fans, we are all one big family. The sad thing is that this group is coming to an end, just like Johnny or Keith Earls are retiring. Over the next 24 hours, we need to smile again and celebrate everything they have done for Irish rugby. I know our character, the players and our desire to wear this green shirt. It’s the end of this team, but everything we’ve built will endure. There is talent in Ireland that will continue to emerge. »