But every so often, a gesture catches the eye for its sheer uniqueness. One such moment came during the inaugural Autumn Nations Series in 2021, when Ireland’s legendary fly-half Johnny Sexton received a special gift from Japan’s rugby team to mark his 100th international cap.
The presentation, held after Ireland’s 60-5 win against Japan at the Aviva Stadium in which Sexton also crossed for a try, was an emotional affair for the fabled Leinster playmaker. While most players receive a commemorative jersey or a plaque to celebrate such a milestone, Sexton was handed a katana, a traditional Japanese sword symbolising honour and respect. Japan’s captain Pieter Labuschagne, who handed over the sword, explained that the gift was meant to represent both the samurai spirit and the bond between the two rugby-playing nations - though one might suggest it also stood for the way in which a Sexton-inspired attack could cut teams to ribbons.
"It was an incredible day for myself and for my family here," Sexton said immediately after the match. "I think every single one of them is here. Most of them came up from Kerry as well. That try in the corner was one of the best moments of my career by far. I will never forget it!"
And then came the sword. It was clear the moment had resonated with the Ireland captain, who found himself not only overwhelmed by the gesture but also by the scale of the occasion: he had just joined an elite group of Irish players to hit the century mark in caps.
This quirky gesture is just one example of how Test rugby often fuses cultural respect with sporting admiration. The sword given to Sexton wasn’t just a random gift, it carried deeper meaning. The samurai katana represents the values of honour, discipline, and loyalty - qualities that align with both the rugby career of a centurion and the Japanese rugby team’s ethos. Japan’s gesture was not only a nod to their own traditions but a recognition of the impact Sexton has had on the game.
Sexton’s sword isn't the only memorable gift given in the world of rugby. Test match rugby has a long history of exchanging unusual tokens of appreciation, often with cultural significance.
What made Sexton’s sword presentation particularly striking was how it blended the global nature of the Autumn Nations Series with deeply rooted national customs. Test rugby is not just about the competition; it's about the relationships forged between nations, the respect shared by players and coaches, and the acknowledgement of cultural heritage.
In the wake of receiving the samurai sword, Sexton said it meant a lot to him. "I’ll put it pride of place. It’s a special day and that’s a special memento to get from an opposition team.”
The 2024 edition of the Autumn Nations Series begins on Saturday 2nd November, and we can only hope the incoming teams have stowed away anything half as cool as a katana.
