Ireland v Argentina: Back to back losses unthinkable but Rónan Kelleher says hosts are ready
by Michael Scully · Irish MirrorOne defeat is worrying for a team of Ireland's status - a second on the spin would lead to talk of a crisis.
Losing to the All Blacks is one thing but, as dangerous as Argentina are expected to be at the Aviva Stadium a first-ever defeat to Felipe Contepomi's side in Dublin would deepen concerns about where Ireland are going in the post-Johnny Sexton era, and with Andy Farrell set for his eight-month sabbatical with the Lions.
Naturally there is more pressure on the players to turn it around at the earliest opportunity tonight. While acknowledging that the perception of this team would change with another wrong result, Ronán Kelleher insists that extra pressure is something they are thriving on now.
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"But that's the kind of pressure we enjoy," said Kelleher. "And it probably goes to show the health of rugby in Ireland where a loss to New Zealand, the perception around it is very negative. But that's pressure we are kind of welcoming. We need to make sure it doesn't happen tonight."
It wasn't unusual that the players had a meeting with performance coach Gary Keegan this week - that happens on a regular basis. But Keegan will have been a vital resource for the players in the wake of the 10 point loss to the All Blacks. "The big thing is about reframing the week, not making a bigger deal than it is, just knowing that we have to move on quickly," said Kelleher.
"There are a lot of small little areas that we didn't really click, so it's just about trying to fix up those small little mistakes. We have to make sure that we take what happened and bring it forward to tonight. Everyone is very honest - in here, you have to be to analyse games.
"So we had our meetings on Sunday and we fed back to one another what you felt out there on the pitch and what you see in your analysis. There's a lot of technical stuff in there but there is a lot of honest, open chat and everyone is receptive to receiving that feedback by either the coaches or the players."
Kelleher, 26, had only managed 11 minutes this season for Leinster prior to his inclusion from the start last week after suffering an ankle injury against Benetton in early October. It was a case of needs must for Andy Farrell, with Dan Sheehan out and Rob Herring also only coming back from injury. The Leinster hooker, who starts tonight as well, felt OK as he got through his 57 minutes on the pitch.
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"Obviously I had the injury early on in the club season which was disappointing but a lot of work went in behind the scenes from the S&C's and the physios to make sure I was back and was fit out there," he said. "It's a little bit more difficult, but at the same time I was confident in my preparation. I was certainly nervous for the game - as with every game you get butterflies, but that's all part of it and you have to enjoy that.
"We had 12 days of preparation for it, we felt very well prepared, we felt fit, we did all our own mental stuff and were ready for the game. It was a tough game, it was very physical and very physically demanding, so I was happy to get through it. For the most part the body felt good."
Ireland's line-out remains an issue and, against the All Blacks, they lost possession on four of their own throws. Kelleher insists that it is not a major problem and requires "small little fixes" with the forwards "getting on the same page".
He said: "It's not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything. It's just small minute details. You have to do your critical analysis on it. But you have to move on very quickly because obviously this game is coming around and we need to put our best foot forward. So it's up to each individual to make sure you are in a good place."
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