Six Nations: Johnny Sexton sets all-time points record

By Sports Desk March 18, 2023

Johnny Sexton became the highest points scorer in Six Nations history as the Ireland captain topped Ronan O'Gara's record haul in Saturday's showdown with England.

Fly-half Sexton, who plans to retire after the Rugby World Cup later this year, remains a hugely significant part of the Ireland team who sit top of the world rankings and headed into their final fixture of this year's Six Nations with a Grand Slam in their sights.

The 37-year-old came into the match with 557 points in the Six Nations, level with former team-mate O'Gara.

He slotted over with 18 minutes on the clock against England at the Aviva Stadium to move top of the list outright.

The record held by Sexton covers the entirety of the Six Nations, as well as its previous incarnation as the Five Nations.

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    Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Cruz Mallia and Lucio Cinti all crossed for the Pumas in the second half, with Santiago Carreras' conversion condemning Australia to their record defeat.

     

    "To lead a Test match 20-3 and get run down in the manner which we did is really disappointing," said Schmidt.

    "We cannot let a game get away from us like it did and fall off a cliff.

    "We lost connection in our defensive line. We were forever chasing them.

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    Australia's previous record Test defeat had come against South Africa in 1997.

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    Second-place Argentina, meanwhile, will tussle it out with Rugby Championship leaders South Africa.

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    McKenzie converted his second penalty just before the half-hour mark as the Springboks saw some uncharacteristic errors punished. 

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    Data Debrief: Cape Town comforts

    This is the first time since 1949 that South Africa have won four straight Tests against their great rivals New Zealand.

    They have also now won four straight Tests in Cape Town, and that is despite trailing at half-time in three of those four matches. 

    New Zealand, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four Tests, having only suffered one defeat across their previous nine matches.

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