Wasps stun Exeter to stay in play-off mix
ROB BAXTER declared Exeter’s first home Gallagher Premiership defeat since February last year as ‘a nice kick in the pants’ as Wasps claimed a shock victory. The Chiefs don’t lose many at Sandy Park — certainly not domestically — but they were caught cold by a three-try surge late in the second half from Wasps, for whom Nathan Hughes was outstanding. England star Jack Nowell gave Exeter the lead and Nic White helped make it 12-0. But after that the hosts weren’t quite themselves and Wasps came back to seal a bonus-point success thanks to Willie Le Roux, Juan de Jongh, Marcus Watson and Zurabi Zhvania. ‘If we were going to get something wrong, it was probably going to be this week after securing a home semi-final so early in the season,’ said Exeter director of rugby Baxter. ‘I’m not overly concerned about it and hopefully that’s a nice kick in the pants for us. You have to give credit to Wasps, who are a dangerous, counter-attacking team.’ Runaway leaders Exeter dominated the first quarter and Nowell crossed early on from a Henry Slade kick. And the Chiefs looked in control when scrum-half White scored from close range and Joe Simmonds converted. To that point Wasps had been non-existent, but their counter-attacking game sprang into life as they scored three tries in the last nine minutes of the first half. First Elliot Daly and Watson helped set up Le Roux before Hughes picked up from a scrum, charged forward, and found temporary substitute De Jongh in support. Hughes then kicked through, Olly Woodburn flailed, and Watson was the beneficiary. Wasps never let their 21-12 half-time lead slip in the second period. Prop Zhvania produced a remarkable finish for the crucial fourth try and although Jack Yeandle grabbed a late Exeter effort, they couldn’t turn the tables. Wasps director of rugby Dai Young saw his team rise to fifth with this result. ‘I’ve never won here and it didn’t look good after 15 minutes, but I couldn’t be prouder,’ he said. ‘We wanted a statement win before the end of the season and this was a statement win.’