Ireland vs Japan: “Players must do individual training” – Ronan Kelleher

Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher says players must fulfill their individual responsibilities better if the team is to return for its three international matches in the autumn after losing to New Zealand in Chicago.

The All Blacks recorded a 26-13 win over Andy Farrell’s side at Soldier Field, with the Irish set to face Japan on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, then Australia and South Africa at the same venue.

Tadhg Byrne picked up a first yellow card three minutes into the game with New Zealand promoted to a 20-minute red card, and although Ireland led 13-7 early in the second half, a run of three tries in the space of 15 minutes in the final quarter of the match saw their opponents avenge their loss at the same venue nine years ago.

Byrne’s sentence was later overturned on appeal.

“Obviously that wasn’t what we wanted. We went there with a plan, but obviously we didn’t execute it,” Kelleher said.

“It was more that we didn’t do our job to the best of our abilities, and that day, we just weren’t good enough.

“I think it comes down to our execution that day. We messed up sometimes.”

Kelleher, who was called up to the British and Irish Lions in July, added that it was “particularly disappointing” to concede those three late tries after coming on as a substitute for fellow Leinster player Dan Sheehan just after the hour mark.

“I came off the bench but it was tough out there, we couldn’t stop the ball. We couldn’t do what we said we were going to do, which was get shots off two guys, slow them down with dominant collisions and we couldn’t do that.”

“Then when they managed to get a little bit of momentum on us, they managed to keep their foot on the pommel and we couldn’t get that momentum back.

“I think ultimately we have to learn the lessons from the game and make sure we improve from here on out. We weren’t good enough in the big parts, so I think we’re back to the drawing board really.

“It’s up to each individual player to make sure they make some additions, whatever needs to be done.”