They have it all Exeter’s belief got them through
GLOUCESTER’S loss to Exeter at Sandy Park feels like an opportunity missed for the Cherry and Whites to close ground on their South West rivals, especially with the Chiefs shorn of their international players who were on autumn international duty.
The stark reality is they have a squad who can still compete, even with absent international players, replacing them with extremely gifted players who have also played on the international scene rugby previously or been around the Premiership for some time.
They certainly are the yardstick, along with Saracens currently, in the top division.
Exeter have a game that has it all, but crucially includes power, resilience, patience, and a know how to win a tight game.
Despite the scoreline Gloucester did not lie down; they started brightly, without turning possession into a significant lead on the scoreboard.
Much has been said of Cipriani’s performance - granted it was not one for his highlights reel and how he plays he is susceptible to moments like a forced intercepted pass.
Gloucester may not have had players on international duty but they have key players out injured, and without the depth that Exeter possesses this will undermine any Gloucester performance.
Yes, they have worked hard to increase the talent pool in the squad; this defeat shows they still have a way to go to compete consistently.
Exeter do not panic when behind; they stick to the structure with the key word being belief. They believed that they would win on Saturday come what may; Gloucester do not yet have that inner core belief collec- tively that will gain victories against the hardest of opposition. This will come over time, starting with a good home record which is now being achieved, backed up with the infrequent victories on the road turned into frequent wins. Johan Ackermann knows this does not come overnight, but with quality always being added to the group and a high class coaching set up, the formula will click into place. The impatient supporters of course want success now, and that can be still achieved with the play-off scenario as Gloucester with all their current big guns firing still have the ability to beat anyone in a knockout format. Standards need to be consistently high.
The reality is Gloucester are chasing two play-off spots with both Exeter and Saracens nailed on already to qualify, and seven other teams fighting for those two all-important slots, it is not going to be easy.