Sexton meets the challenge head-on

GAVIN CUMMISKEY was at the Aviva Stadium last night to witness the latest chapter in the compelling personal duel between Leinster…

GAVIN CUMMISKEYwas at the Aviva Stadium last night to witness the latest chapter in the compelling personal duel between Leinster's outhalf and his Munster rival, Ronan O'Gara

NO MORE than being flawless can be asked of a place-kicker. This Jonny Sexton delivered last night.

A tale of two outhalves. Again. You know them. They are moulded into the fabric of Irish rugby forever.

After the World Cup, came a fresh chapter in this personal rivalry of theirs. That meant yet another compelling mental duel between Sexton and Ronan O’Gara.

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So, who would blink first?

O’Gara as it turned out – missing his fifth attempt on goal – but Munster were chasing the game by then. Sexton had more opportunities, seven of which he immaculately converted.

Really, the result was sorted elsewhere. A 56th-minute drop goal from Rob Kearney followed not long after by Denis Leamy being sin-binned.

That yellow card allowed Sexton complete his unblemished display with the boot.

But the key question – which man should start in green come next year’s Six Nations? – remains a matter of personal choice.

Or maybe it will always be a geographical argument.

To a large extent, Declan Kidney had his mind made up for him in New Zealand. The heir apparent remained so because his form faltered at crucial moments. In contrast, O’Gara put Ireland into an irresistible groove with those early three-pointers against Italy.

Clearly, retirement from Test duty is not an option for the 34 year old – not yet anyway – so the debate can rumble on.

Very quickly matters descended into the proverbial arm-wrestle we expect of this gripping Irish rugby derby.

O’Gara managed to avoid the whiplash he usually sustains in the initial collisions against Leinster.

Cian Healy did charge down his channel, but it helped that BJ Botha went low on his direct scrum rival. Seán O’Brien was lurking as well. The Carlow flanker got his paws to an early drop goal attempt by O’Gara.

This was about nerve – a kicking contest on a cold, windless November night. Both men delivered, settling perfectly into their respective strides with a penalty apiece within 10 minutes.

The only lull that swept over the largely Dublin crowd came when Sexton lined up a 40-metre shot in a central position on 13 minutes. Ideal conditions to shred one’s confidence should he miss.

He nailed it.

Another Leinster penalty was awarded by French referee Pascal Guazere dead in front of the posts after Niall Ronan needlessly crashed into the side of a ruck. Sexton’s third strike was straight and true.

Still, a matter of who would blink first.

Sexton, aided by his pack edging the war of inches, continued to punish the Munster line for creeping offside. That made it 12-6.

These were relatively easy penalties, but his 47 per cent kicking return at the World Cup has clearly been erased from the 26-year-old’s psyche.

Not that any major criticism can be levelled at the elder statesman. O’Gara distributed well off his right hand. When Leinster were penalised for collapsing a maul, he repeated his first penalty from wide on the left to make it 12-9 – the staring contest continued.

Sexton’s toughest task came next – a penalty from wide on the right. But he was utterly tuned in last night. The robotic technique evident again.

O’Gara brought in the interval by punting to touch. An urgent Munster start to the second half saw him land a fourth penalty,

but it was his error that allowed Leinster quickly regain a six-point advantage. Attacking from deep in his own half from left to right, he opted for a trademark chip over the blue line. O’Brien, again, got a block in and Mike Ross gathered. A penalty followed for Sexton to make it 18-12.

Everything sat up just right for the St Mary’s man. A grubber even bounced off the corner flag. The big screen flashed to his mug and there he was aggressively compelling his outside backs for more. Dictating the terms of engagement.

The Kearney drop goal made it a two-score contest before Sexton sealed this victory on the hour mark.

Two minutes later, O’Gara had an opportunity to bring the deficit back to nine points. He missed. Late on, he attacked out wide,

but coughed up possession by allowing Will Chambers run interference. Crossing.

The World Cup statistics will always be set in stone.

At least, here, Sexton proved he remains the future.

Although O’Gara is still the present.

So it goes on – but Sexton passed a stiff test here, partial redemption at least.