Rugby: Lions' Johnny Sexton played final test with broken wrist and ruptured ankle tendon

Lions 1st-five Johnny Sexton, during the test match between the British and Irish Lions and the Maori All Blacks. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

Johnny Sexton took the phrase 'leaving it out all there on the field' to a new height during the Lions' recent tour of New Zealand.

It has emerged that the Ireland first-five played the last two Tests against the All Blacks with a fractured wrist.

According to the target="_blank">Irish Independent, the 32-year-old suffered the injury in the second Test 24-21 win in Wellington on July 1.

He damaged his right wrist during the second half of that encounter but strapped it up for the final Test at Eden Park a week later.

And scans have revealed that the Leinster No 10 did in fact battle through that 15-15 draw with a broken bone.

To highlight Sexton's bravery further, he ruptured an ankle tendon too during the first half of the trilogy decider but played on.

Despite those injuries though, it wasn't until the 73rd minute that Sexton was replaced in the third Test - making way for Ben Te'o.

It is believed that Sexton's injuries won't hinder his preparation for Leinster next season too much with his wrist in a splint and his ankle not requiring surgery.