We Need To Up Performance Against Clermont – Kearney

Rob Kearney is focused on battles on two fronts. (credit - herald.ie)

 

Leinster full back Rob Kearney has warned that a repeat of last weekend’s second half display in the Heineken Cup quarter-final could see the province crash out against a team of the quality of Clermont Auvergne.

The current holders booked their semi-final berth against the French team, overcoming a poor Cardiff Blues side 34-3 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. However, despite that convincing scoreline, the victory was marred by a significant drop off in Irish side’s second period performance and Kearney knows that allowing this to happen again could end in disaster.

“We’re away from home against probably the finest team in France”, says the Louth man.

“They’ve been threatening around the Heineken Cup for the last few years now and we know they have a fantastic team.”

“In saying that, our first 40 minutes in the weekend just gone by was pretty good, but our second half performance just wasn’t up to scratch.”

“We know that if we play that sort of rugby in the second half again we’ll come out second best.”

“The best teams never take their foot of the accelerator.” he added.

It’s back to Pro12 business next for Leinster as they face two fellow Heineken Cup semi-finallists – Edinburgh and Ulster – over successive weekends.

Having finished runners-up to Munster in last year’s competition, Joe Schmidt’s men are well on course for a semi-final place this time around, sitting pretty at the summit of the table.

Kearney is perfectly happy to be fighting for silverware on two fronts.

“We want to compete in both competitions and be in a position at the end of the season to win both competitions.”

There is no disguising the big prize, however;

“At the start of the season you set your goals and our biggest goal was probably to be in a Heineken Cup final.”

The 26-year-old’s outstanding form, particularly in this year’s Six Nations, has gained him many plaudits but the 41-times capped player is quick to acknowledge the other men who take to the field with him every week.

“Yeah (my game) is going alright. What’s most important for me is that I have such wonderful players around me. That always makes it easier for a player to fulfill his own potential.”

If Kearney and Co. continue to realise that potential, a club double could well be on the cards for Leinster.

 

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