Western Morning News (Saturday)
Baxter wants to see more of Exeter being like Chiefs
Coach relieved to be up and running but wants a similar display against Worcester
UP AND running at the third time of asking, Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, is hoping his team use the foundations of their win at Sale Sharks last weekend to build another victory against Worcester Warriors today (3pm).
In what was a much-improved display from the Devonians in the North West, the challenge for the Chiefs is now to back that up against the Warriors at Sandy Park.
Buoyed by the return of all four of their British & Irish Lions for the fixture, Baxter is hopeful the summer tourists can roar into action, adding further bite to what is a powerful array of talent on show.
“It is a relief that we’re up and running,” he said. “There is the obvious relief of collecting points, but there is also the relief of seeing us playing like I know we can.
“What I saw up at Sale last weekend was more like what you’d describe as an Exeter Chiefs performance. What I saw from us was that ability to just ‘get on with things.’ Even when we went ten points down, what did we do?
“We just got on with things, rolled our sleeves up, kept the ball for long periods and really went through that process of trying to batter down what was a pretty determined and energetic defence from Sale. People will say it didn’t look that pretty, especially when we’d get knocked back a few times, but to me it was very pretty and I could see the effect it was having.
“What people need to remember is that you don’t tire an opponent down by kicking the ball in behind them or floating long passes here and there. Sometimes you just have to get your head down and work hard, which is exactly what we did. That’s how we were able to create those moments later in the game where Sale did begin to tire, allowing us to create those tries for Sladey.
“Talking to Sale afterwards, they were pretty pleased with their defence, even though we scored three tries – and probably should have scored more – but we looked like a team that got our balance right last week. As I always say, you have to be able to challenge teams in different ways. We weren’t the top tryscorers last season from playing just one way, we work hard in all facets of the game to create those different opportunities.”
More of the same will be needed from the Chiefs today against a Warriors outfit, who looked transformed somewhat under the guidance of their new head coach Jonathan Thomas.
A plethora of new faces have been added to the playing ranks at Sixways this summer and Baxter acknowledged the threat the Midlanders pose to his side’s hopes on home soil.
“They’ve certainly added some quality,” he added. “Although I’m not in their camp, but you do wonder because there is no relegation this season if this has allowed certain teams, including Worcester, to enjoy their rugby a bit more.
“When you get at a club that has kind of got used to being in a battle, you can start out being in a battle without even needing to. It can affect you a bit. You can make the odd decision or the odd call that isn’t right in the game, but feels right because of where you are in the league and what your aims and ambitions are.