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Ireland make telling admission over what they 'lacked at times' against NZ

By PA
Press Association

Captain Caelan Doris wants Ireland to bring an extra edge against Argentina following the frustration of their disheartening defeat to New Zealand.

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The number eight admits Andy Farrell’s starting XV have “pressure to perform” after 14 of the players who began the 23-13 loss to the All Blacks were retained.

Robbie Henshaw has replaced Bundee Aki at inside centre, while uncapped Leinster pair Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast have been included on a rejigged bench showing four changes.

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“We’re getting a second chance and there’s competition,” said Doris ahead of Friday’s match.

“There are a lot of people who want to wear the jersey so there’s a bit of pressure to perform there but excitement as well, an opportunity too, so that’s the underlying thing.

Fixture
Internationals
Ireland
22 - 19
Full-time
Argentina
All Stats and Data

“I hope that comes out in edge on the pitch and in physicality and in more intent, which I think we lacked at times last Friday.

“I hope it comes out in the right way tomorrow.”

Disjointed Ireland struggled to find their rhythm in front of a subdued Dublin crowd last Friday as they slipped to a first home defeat in more than three years.

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Doris accepts the hosts, who also take on Fiji and Australia this month, have significant room for improvement, individually and collectively.

“Off the back of a loss like that, there’s obviously a lot of frustration and disappointment,” he said.

“There was also a feeling that there’s more in us, in terms of intent and making it happen a little bit as individuals.

“I definitely felt that myself; there’s more in me and I was a little bit disappointed with the lack of impact in the game and not as many involvements as I would have liked and I know a few guys who were like that.

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Caelan Doris
Press Association

“The mood is good now, there’s a lot of excitement about tomorrow.”

Another capacity crowd is expected at the Aviva Stadium for the visit of Los Pumas.

Doris hopes an improved showing against dangerous opponents who have already beaten France, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in 2024 can inspire spectators to generate more noise.

“We’ve had some unbelievable atmospheres with the fans and they make such a difference for us,” he said.

“The nature of the game on Friday, quite stop start, a lot of scrums, and maybe us chasing a little bit probably wasn’t conducive to the best atmosphere, so through our actions, through how we play we can involve them more.

“It’s a two-way thing definitely but they do make such a difference when we hear them and when the volume is there, as it has been plenty of times over the last number of years.

“We know that Argentina are a proper team and a proper test and they’ve shown that with some of their wins over the year.”

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cw 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Thanks JW for clarifying your point and totally agree. The ABs are still trying to find their mojo” - that spark of power that binds and defines them. Man the Boks certainly found theirs in Wellington! But I think it cannot be far off for ABs - my comment about two coaches was a bit glib. The key point for me is that they need first a coach or coaches that can unlock that power and for me that starts at getting the set piece right and especially the scrum and second a coach that can simplify the game plans. I am fortified in this view by NBs comment that most of the ABs tries come from the scrum or lineout - this is the structured power game we have been seeing all year. But it cannot work while the scrum is backpeddling. That has to be fixed ASAP if Robertson is going to stick to this formula. I also think it is too late in the cycle to reverse course and revert to a game based on speed and continuity. The second is just as important - keep it simple! Complex movements that require 196 cm 144 kg props to run around like 95kg flankers is never going to work over a sustained period. The 2024 Blues showed what a powerful yet simple formula can do. The 2025 Blues, with Beauden at 10 tried to be more expansive / complicated - and struggled for most of the season.

I also think that the split bench needs to reflect the game they “want” to play not follow some rote formula. For example the ABs impact bench has the biggest front row in the World with two props 195cm / 140 kg plus. But that bulk cannot succeed without the right power based second row (7, 4, 5, 6). That bulk becomes a disadvantage if they don’t have a rock solid base behind them - as both Boks showed at Eden Park and the English in London. Fresh powerful legs need to come on with them - thats why we need a 6-2 bench. And teams with this split can have players focused only on 40 minutes max of super high intensity play. Hence Robertson needs to design his team to accord with these basic physics.



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