Younger Simmonds showcases Exeter’s rapid development
This time last year, Joe Simmonds was in the stands as Exeter’s 24th man as his elder brother, Sam, etched himself into Devon folklore by scoring an 80th-minute try to win their Premiership semi-final against Saracens.
On Saturday, it was the junior Simmonds’ turn to shine in a comprehensive semi-final victory, delivering a masterful performance at fly-half, including a 19-point haul with the boot. The 21-year-old was not the only Chief to step up. As Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter pointed out afterwards, there were only four survivors – hooker Luke Cowan-dickie, flanker Don Armand and wings Jack Nowell and Olly Woodburn – from the XV that went on to beat Wasps 23-20 in last season’s final.
Baxter’s point was that while the Chiefs are defending champions, to all intents and purposes this will be a different team heading to Twickenham on Saturday.
“In most clubs, if you said there would be 11 players missing from a Premiership-winning team they would be in panic,” Baxter said. “They’d think the world had fallen down around their ears. So yes, we can say we’ve experienced getting to finals, but also we’re trying to create a team that wants to go out and win it again. The crucial thing is to build your next team and not try to cling on to past glories.”
Form is the sole criteria that Baxter employs in selection. Hence, starting Simmonds ahead of Gareth Steenson, who would be first in line for a notional Chiefs hall of fame. Simmonds was also in the stands as Steenson kicked Exeter past Bristol in the 2010 Championship playoffs. Now the apprentice has displaced the master and he relished the responsibility, kicking all seven of his shots at goal as well as producing some superb touch-finders.
“I’ve been impressed,” Baxter said. “This was a big game, not just for Joe, but it was a huge game for this rugby club to get to another final. On form, he’s holding his place and his performances are meriting him being there.”
Of course, it helped that Simmonds had an armchair ride courtesy of a monumental performance from the Exeter forwards. At times, particularly in the first half when they had eight per cent possession, it seemed as if Newcastle were like children trying desperately to protect their sandcastle from the incoming tide; their attempts were valiant, with Mark Wilson making 28 tackles, but ultimately doomed.
At the heart of it all was Armand, who delivered his customary all-action performance capped with a try at the death. Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, England head coach Eddie Jones employs a different criteria to Baxter when it comes to international selection, with Armand left out of the touring party to South Africa.
“I got some calls from Eddie,” Armand said. “I know where I stand with him. I think it is important for everyone to start getting behind the guys who are picked.
“It is important in terms of where we want England to go, the quality of players are there, that we get behind them and make sure it is a positive environment. We all want the team to succeed. I am disappointed but I am in a good situation where we are in a final and I have bigger things to focus on at the moment.”
Armand was one of about 10 legitimate contenders for man of the match – eventually awarded to scrum-half Nic White for his try and assist of Woodburn’s secondhalf score – such was the power of the Chiefs’ collective performance. That was perfectly encapsulated when full-back Lachie Turner charged down Toby Flood’s attempted conversion of Alex Tait’s second-half try. Within three phases of the restart, Woodburn scored to put the game to bed.
“That could have been a momentum swinger because Newcastle were getting hungry,” Armand said. “Seeing the charge-down I think it gave us a buzz. It will be the small things that make a difference.”