Kearney wants Ireland to show killer instinct
Ireland full back Rob Kearney believes his team need to become more ruthless when it comes to putting teams away if they are to improve.
Kearney’s comments come on the back of Ireland’s frustrating 17-17 draw with France in Paris on Sunday.
While the result marked the first time in twelve years an Irish team wasn’t defeated in a Six Nations game on French soil, Ireland’s failure to score in the second half frustrated Kidney’s men who feel they should have won, especially having scored two tries to France’s one.
Kearney insists that Ireland are good enough to compete with any team on the world stage but they must play with the belief that they can conquer any opponent.
“We're a good team and we know what we can achieve,” he said.
“On our day we can muscle up with any side in the game and we did that against France, but the margins are so small.
"Maybe we're lacking that one or two per cent of a killer instinct. These games are decided by tiny margins.
"If we develop just another one per cent of a killer instinct, we can close these games out. Developing that killer instinct is about winning and developing confidence.
"The more games you win, the more momentum you build and the more confidence you feel. If we have that inner desire and belief that we can beat anyone in the world, we will. It all starts mentally.''
The draw in Paris has added to Ireland’s woes after a crushing last minute defeat to Wales courtesy of a Leigh halfpenny penalty in round one.
With Paul O’Connell and Conor Murray ruled out of the Scotland game, senior players like Kearney will be expected to step up and perform.
The Leinster star understands the need for a big game against the Scots who have also endured a frustrating Six Nations campaign to date.
“You need to be an 80-minute team to win games and in six days' time Scotland will pose a massive threat,'' he said.
"They're a good team and like ourselves they've had a couple of unlucky games. It will be a massive match.
"It won't be difficult to pick ourselves up because you can't afford to be like that. If you don't stop crying and move on, you lose again and things snowball.
"Sometimes after a game like that the perfect medicine is to get out again. We're lucky to be back in Dublin in front of our own fans. We need to get a win.''
