Emotion gets the better of Baxter
ROB Baxter admitted his emotions were “all over the place” after Exeter’s thrilling Heineken Champions Cup final victory against Racing 92.
Exeter were crowned kings of Europe for the first time following a 31-27 success at Ashton Gate that saw the teams share eight tries before Chiefs captain Joe Simmonds settled the nerves with an 80th-minute penalty.
There was even a pause before the final whistle following Simmonds’ penalty as officials checked whether there was any time left to still be played, but referee Nigel Owens blew and Exeter could celebrate.
“My emotions are all over the place, really,” Exeter rugby director Baxter said. “It was a funny game, wasn’t it?
“We’ve had our first go at a European semi-final and a final, and we’ve won them both. It is great for this group of players.”
The Chiefs conquered Europe in only their 10th season as a topflight team, ultimately flooring the French heavyweights through a combination of irresistible forward power and ruthless finishing.
A gripping game saw the teams trade blow after blow before Exeter prevailed through scores by hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, number eight Sam Simmonds, prop Harry Williams and centre Henry Slade, with Joe Simmonds kicking four conversions and a late penalty after prop Tomas Francis had been sin-binned.
Ireland international full-back Simon Zebo touched down twice for Racing, while wing Juan Imhoff and hooker Camille Chat also crossed, with Maxime Machenaud adding a penalty and conversion and fly-half Finn Russell one conversion.
A tearful Baxter called his wife Jo at full-time from the pitch after the behind-closed-doors final, and he added: “I’m a bit all over the place.
“I told her I would definitely be home tonight! She was pretty emotional, and it made me a bit emotional.
“We have been together a long time - my whole career - and she has seen the highs and lows. It was a special couple of minutes.
“To start with she was just screaming at me in emotional joy, and then we managed to have a few words and talked about the journey and it was a nice few minutes.”
Baxter added: “It was a horrible game to watch, and that last 14 minutes went on forever, but we have seen it out and it looks like it was meant to be.
“It is fighting for every inch, and I thought that was the bit we were good at. I am glad we went for it like Exeter and didn’t just try and ease our way through, as we would have lost, so I am glad we got through it.”