Ireland hopeful over Johnny Sexton after post-match check on head injury

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell revealed captain Johnny Sexton could be available for next weekend’s second Test following a resounding 42-19 loss to New Zealand in the series opener.

Influential fly-half Sexton was forced off after half an hour of a punishing evening in Auckland after suffering a head injury.

The 36-year-old satisfied a post-match assessment and will undergo further tests to determine whether he can feature in Dunedin on Saturday.

Not the result we worked for. We'll come back stronger in Dunedin next week.Thanks to all the Ireland fans in Auckland for your incredible support.#TeamOfUs | #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/MROmoONBMp

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 2, 2022

“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.”

Sexton departed in the aftermath of Sevu Reece’s breakaway try and did not return, having slipped and collided with New Zealand captain Sam Cane in the build-up.

That proved to be a pivotal few moments during a contest in which Ireland initially showed the greater enterprise.

But they faded fast from the dream start of Keith Earls’ early score, with Reece’s solo finish the second of four tries in 17 first-half minutes from the ruthless All Blacks.

Ireland enjoyed 58 per cent overall possession at Eden Park and managed to draw the second half having trailed 28-5 at the break.

Farrell, who saw Sexton’s replacement Joey Carbery and Josh Van Der Flier each agonisingly thwarted on the try line by Rieko Ioane in the second period, rued his side’s profligacy.

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

Sevu Reece