Ireland coach Declan Kidney refused to blame debutant fly-half Paddy Jackson for his missed kicks against Scotland.
The visitors failed to convert large portions of territory and possession and were surprise losers in Sunday's contest, with Greig Laidlaw kicking four penalties for Scotland to seal Ireland's second defeat of the Championship.
"It is about taking your opportunities. We created several for ourselves but didn't manage to convert them enough to be ahead of Scotland's penalty count," said Kidney.
"I think it is too easy to put it down to that (Jackson's misses). Paddy's general play was good. He helped us get a few line breaks and his kicks down the line put us in a good field position. He had the courage to go for those, which is a good thing.
"His place kicking didn't go the way he would have liked but some days go like that. It's too easy to point the finger at that. Overall his general play was good.
"We created a lot of try-scoring opportunities and if we had put those away...
"Obviously their place-kicking went to a far higher stat than ours and that is something we regret, but we did do a lot of positive work as well in attack. We just didn't manage to finish it off.
"There always is [criticism]. But it is just about getting ready for the next game in two weeks' time (against France).
"That is what the role is; whether you win, lose or draw it doesn't matter - it is all about getting ready for the next game.
"We created opportunities today. I will take a good look at myself and get the others around me to critique everything that I'm doing, as well as them too, because nobody is immune from this."
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
it's no so shameful to get beaten by Scotland in Murrayfield. Let's see how Wales do up there before calling for heads to roll.
Posted 22:24 24th February 2013
boksmashoffice says...
If you do not have a solid set piece you will lose. It is beyond me why Ire lost this match. I felt sorry for Jackson. Every time he had the ball in his hand he was looking to see if he was going to kick. This did not do him any good. Why they did not take the points at the start is beyond me. Heaslip is not captain material. The margins in close games are so fine that 1 or 2 moments can decide if you win or lose a match. The 2 that come in mind for me are Earls killing a try and Jackson missing touch and Kearney giving away a penalty straight after. I think the knives are out for the most decorated coach in Irish rugby. How will want the job not O'Shea. He has business to attend to at quins. Tough times ahead is what I see.
Posted 22:24 24th February 2013
jmckenna92 says...
If Kidney is going to play someone as slow as Murray he needs a bigger centres, which Ireland do not have in any shape or form apart from Downey who would have been good 2 years ago! Someone like marshall should be playing 9, kidney should start trying new players he has nothing to lose now. It worked for England
Posted 21:27 24th February 2013
Bigspottedcat says...
@paddy91317
Ha ha - bloody right. I feel very sorry for the youngsters coming through. This could scar them for years - knocking their confidence. Kidney must go now.
Posted 21:12 24th February 2013
foxrock says...
Before allocating blame to anyone else let's first be clear that the coach and captain are abysmal, have been so long before this game, and need to be changed - any other criticisms or desired changes pale into insignificance - but, as so often with the IRFU, it's harder to be dropped than selected.
Posted 21:03 24th February 2013
Haldir says...
Is this secretly Kidney wanting to shout "it's me, it's me!" to have as much possession and territory is pathetic. BO'D will have to do a lot more to get anywhere near the Test team for Oz at this rate... Marshall stepped up well. But it's time to let Madigan in the side, he's got bags more than RO'G.
Posted 20:50 24th February 2013
NHsaints says...
To be fair I'd defend both Kidney and Jackson for this one...Marshall was an excellent selection and looks like the long term solution for Ireland's 12 problem (now they need a new 13), the real problem was the irish lineouts and scrums which let scotland steal away all of Ireland's momentum during the game. Jackson had a mixed start to the international stage but who else could (or should) Kidney have selected? O'gara was only on for the last 15 and in that time he gave away Ireland's narrow lead and there aren't really any other quality provincial fly halves to choose from with Sexton injured. Ireland get off the hook on the fact heaslip had a much improved performance and they're missing half their first XV...there always has to be a transition period when the results don't quite go your way because you're trying out new combos ect and Scotland were ruthless today.
Posted 20:43 24th February 2013
melkdave says...
Kidney is right,it wasnt all down to P.Jacksons missed penalties,Irelands attack in general was quite pathetic really.Heslip didnt perform ,niether did O'Malley in the backrow and Scotland where able to disrurpt Irelands ball.,C.Murray was again slow at the breakdown,and the lineout imploded. along with the scrum Ireland look like headless chickens atm,with an old non working gameplan Ireland just havent played for a full 80 mins since 2011 against England to deny them a slam.Only really posative was L.Marshall looked good in the first 20 mins,and might be a good find.,BOD needs to up his game or he isnt getting on that plane to Australia ,so far his slipped way down in my estimation ,along with.Kearney.
Posted 19:29 24th February 2013
paddy91317 says...
We dont we blame you ya feckin plonker
Posted 19:14 24th February 2013