If you ever watch Johnny Sexton play you’ll see that he is a demanding player.
He barks out orders and doesn’t let things go. Just watching him makes me feel a bit stressed.
He certainly is not a Ronaldinho type of player who always played with a smile on his face and loved to play the game. Even when he was getting carded he could see the funny side of it.
Johnny partly because of the position he plays and his personality just can’t go around smiling all game. It’s clear he wants to win and he’ll do anything to win.
He demands the best from from himself and all of his teammates.
Which I’d say creates a stressful environment and has probably led to a few blow ups and altercations throughout the years. Possibly some unsportmanslike celebrations.
It certainly took me a while to warm to him after that 🙂
But when you’re trying to claw back a game that has gotten away from you, in the dying minutes of a crucial six nations match you can rest assured Johnny will guide the team up the pitch and within drop goal range.
The fact that he holds such high standards for his team means that they are able to push themselves and give Johnny an opportunity to win the game.
So his commanding and organisation, along with others, has presented him with a chance to win the game that they have lost so many times before, to swing the story of this game into Ireland’s favour.
It’s one thing to demand something of others but to demand it of oneself as well is another thing entirely. To rise to the occasion and execute amidst all the pressure, that takes an great deal of character.
Then all the stress he put on his teammates and himself pays off and you can see the reaction from his team in the video below. Safe to say they appreciate it. I appreciate it too!
It just goes to show when you demand high standards from yourself and those around you, you can perform amazing feats.
Thomas Duggan 