Nov 15,2024
Caelan Doris admits Ireland must improve their game management when things aren't going their way ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Argentina, and wants to see some edge in the match.
Andy Farrell’s side failed to adapt to the weather, and the referee in last Friday’s defeat to New Zealand, during which they didn't score after Josh van der Flier’s converted try in the 43rd minute.
Doris, who took over as captain from Peter O’Mahony at the start of the Autumn Nations Series, said it’s an area they have looked at this week and targetted for improvement.
"We weren’t good enough at it on Friday, we did come together and take the breath, but acknowledging what’s going on within a game, what the trends are – I need to be better, as a group we need to be better.
"We got a little bit desperate, the nature of us chasing the game a little bit. Penalties came through desperation, so coming together and getting back to neutral, would help.
"You practice it in training, obviously mistakes are higher in games, but it’s about coming together and recognising what’s been good or bad and then reacting."
The Six Nations champions conceded 13 penalties in the 23-13 loss, which brought an end to their winning run of 19 games in Dublin.
"Discipline for this team has been a strength," said Doris, who will win his 45th cap tomorrow night (8.10pm).
"I think we average around 10 penalties or less.
"We were up at 13 and they came at crucial moments in the game.
"We’d five in a row after we’d scored in the second half and they kicked nine points from that and as we were getting momentum back it completely turned back towards them.
"When you are playing on the edge, you are always going to give away a few but a lot of them were avoidable ones so there was disappointment around that.
"But 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 and we’ve another chance tomorrow."
Farrell has made just one change to the starting XV, with Robbie Henshaw replacing Bundee Aki at centre.
The head coach suggested that the retained players have a shot at redemption after last weekend’s performance.
"Definitely, we’re getting a second chance and there’s competition," said Mayo native Doris ahead of their first meeting with Los Pumas, who beat Italy last weekend, in three years.
"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.
"A little bit [of edge in training this week] yeah, but I think that's a positive thing.
"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.
"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 and their development under Felipe [Contepomi].
"They’ve obviously been a top-class team for the last number of years, being in three of the last four World Cup semi-finals but I think they’ve gone up to another level under Felipe so we’re definitely aware that it’s going to be a big challenge.
"There’s also excitement at being back in the Aviva to get back to ourselves because we felt we weren’t ourselves last Friday."
