Baxter’s long road to glory
Rob Baxter couldn’t have summed up his side’s maiden Premiership title any better. It didn’t feel like a dream in any way. Unexpected and illogical, looking back, but dream-like? Definitely not. No side has reached the pinnacle of English domestic rugby in a more shrewd and hard-working manner than Exeter Chiefs – a side who were nowhere near even touching the Premiership a mere 20 years ago. Using a blend of the stalwarts who brought them into this league, as well as the young, local talent they have in their ranks and the acquisition of a few seasoned campaigners, they have slowly raised themselves to be the shining example of how to bring about success from the most unlikely of situations.
The final with Wasps was a perfect representation of their journey; a surge to the top, a falter that made it look like they’d be just short again, before clinching the win with a steely determination that could only have come from them. What was one of the most difficult to predict, hotly-anticipated finals in recent years didn’t disappoint. Both sides were displaying bruising defence and an attacking intent from the off. Nathan Hughes was running riot for the table-toppers, but, crucially, their usually pinpoint attacks were faltering due to simple handling errors. Chiefs, on the other hand, were clinical. Their first clear cut opportunity was finished by their Lion, Jack Nowell. Jimmy Gopperth, who (aside from a knock-on akin to junior touch rugby) had an excellent game, clawed three points back. The Devonians looked like they were starting to run away with the game when Phil Dollman scored from another first-phase move. Fortunately, Gopperth came to the rescue once again when he converted his own score on the stroke of half-time to make it 14-10.
That late seemed to spark something. Soon after the restart, they took the lead, courtesy of the ball finally making its way to Christian Wade, who chipped through, which Elliot Daly latched onto to score. A period of dominance for Wasps was thwarted only by excellent Exeter defence, but they were able to extend their lead to 20-14 with another penalty. Exeter had to wrestle back control, and they did. They dominated possession and territory, forcing Wasps into a huge number of tackles, which were telling by the end. Gareth Steenson kicked them back to 20-17. They needed only a penalty, which they were to get to send the match into extra-time. Chiefs maintained the pressure they had, battering away at the tired Wasps bodies for the 20 extra minutes. Finally, they were rewarded; a scrum penalty, kicked by Steenson once again. 23-20 and Twickenham in a chorus of song.
Wasps now have their own demons to overcome. Why, with the match heading towards (and making) extra time, were not all the substitutes used? Naivity from a squad still building? Perhaps. They themselves have come a long way, but the Premiership’s richest club must win something next year, or serious questions will start to be asked. As for Exeter, Europe is the next target, but, for now, they must revel in what their hard-work has achieved. Deservedly.
Welsh winners in Pro12
A week on from becoming the first side to win an away semi final, Scarlets sealed the deal with a dominant 46-22 victory over favourites Munster. Of the many achievements they recorded with this win – a first title since 2004, breaking the dominance of the Irish provinces, the overturning of a poor start to the season – arguably the greatest was the question it raised about Wales; why can’t they play in this incisive, clinical and entertaining manner with many of the same players?
Munster, so good an impassioned for most of the season, were unstuck by the end of the first half. After Tyler Blyendaal’s opening penalty, it was all Scarlets. Liam Williams grabbed the first of four tries before the half-time whistle, with Steff Evans, Gareth Davies and Tadhg Beirne adding the others in rampant fashion. Blyendaal crossed for one of his own to give a glimmer of hope, but the Scarlets defence was so resolute that it never looked like Munster would seriously be back in the game. Streams of fans from Limerick and around were heading out of the Aviva with ten minutes to go, when DTH Van Der Merwe crossed to put the game beyond doubt. Andrew Conway and Keith Earls scored for the Irish in the dying embers, but Jonathan Davies had the last word with the last play.
It was gutting for Munster, after a season of climbing back towards the top of Europe and the Pro12, to have nothing to show for it. The day was Scarlets’, and the whole stadium knew it. Can a Welsh region seriously be considered as one of Europe’s finest teams? With this group, anything is possible.
Saints overcome the odds to qualify
Northampton avoided a season of complete disaster by qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup. Somehow, they overcame a 22-9 half-time deficit, and Tom Wood’s red-card, to see off Stade Francais 23-22.
Youngsters star for England
England warmed up for their tour to Argentina, with an uncapped fixture again the Barbarians. The tour – in which Eddie Jones is looking at young players that may fit into his World Cup plans – started in pleasing fashion at Twickenham, with a 28-14 win. Tom Curry was named MOTM and Nathan Earle and Nick Isiekwe were among the try-scorers.
Cockerill takes Toulon to final
Richard Cockerill, sacked from Leicester Tigers less than six months ago, is on the brink of a title in France. He guided Toulon past table-topping La Rochelle in the semis 18-15. They will now meet Clermont in the Top14 final next weekend. The Champions Cup runners-up beat Racing 37-31.
Highlanders keep up the pressure
Highlanders beat Waratahs 44-28, overturning a half-time deficit, to record a ninth victory on the trot, but Hurricanes managed to stay above them in the top wildcard spot with a 34-20 win over Bulls. Blues and Chiefs played out a 16-16 draw, which doesn’t appear to do either side any favours, with the former losing ground to Sharks (who beat Stormers 22-10) and the latter allowing the South Africans within striking distance. Cheetahs embarrassed Sunwolves 47-7, and Force did the same to Reds 40-26. Crusaders stayed top with a 41-19 win in Melbourne, whilst Lions kept up the pressure with a 54-10 result with Kings. Brumbies smashed Jaguares 39-15 to take a proper grip on the Aussie conference.
Irish bounce back at first opportunity
After a season absent, London Irish will return to the top flight next season. They held a first-leg advantage over Yorkshire Carnegie, and were able to maintain that in Reading. They ran in a glut of tries, before Yorkshire replied with some of their own. However, the Northerners had left themselves with too much to do, losing out 55-48.
Hero of the week
Nobody can begrudge Rob Baxter receiving this award this week. He has shown enormous grace and humility, which are traits shared by his team, to reach the top. Providing Exeter can now deal with material success, he is surely a leading candidate to lead England from 2020 onwards.
Villain of the week
La Rochelle were completely undone by a red card to Pierre Aiguillon for a spear tackle. When your team has finished top of the table and are crashing the elite for the first time, you certainly don’t want to leave them in the lurch, particularly for something as senseless as that.
Try of the week
Steff Evans and Jonathan Davies combined wonderfully to make rugby look like the most simple game on the planet at the Aviva. The former dotted down after Scarlets had the minerals to go from inside their own 22 with the game in its early stages. The two of them combined with a series of one-twos that bamboozled Munster completely.
Discussion points
– Will Exeter and Scarlets become great teams by defending their title and/or going on to win Europe?
– What do Wasps need to do to kick on and expand their trophy cabinet?
– Will Tom Wood be missing the Argentina tour?
– What can we expect from that tour? Which players will stand out?
– Are you ready for the Lions? Thoughts?
By Joe Large
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Huge congratulations to Exeter, a well deserved win from a small club doing things on and off the pitch the right way. And significant of a shift in power in rugby being complete as along with Saracens they should dominate domestic rugby for a good few seasons now.
As for Wasps I can see a fall off next year, the attempts to pay to win don’t always work especially if you are not doing similar work off the field. If they learn that they’ll bounce back, if not they’ll become a bridesmaid, like Bath, Saints and Leicester.
Tom Wood? What an idiot, but systematic of a malaise at Saints who these days are more sinners. Not a nice team and a not particularly nice crowd either.
Well done to Exeter, what a great final that was. Both teams gave it everything but I think they deserved the win.
Young guns shined for England vs Barbarians. It was a well controlled and efficient performance. Never easy to play a structured game against a team who just want to play rugby.
Not sure how Tom Wood didn’t share the villain of the week? To have the cheek to shout “I bet he plays on” as he was leaving the pitch doesn’t do him any favours. I think a lengthy ban is heading his way.
As a Chiefs Fan I am over the moon. Was at the game and it was undoubtedly the best 100 Minutes of sport I’ve seen live. There are 2 points I’d like to make about the game:
1) Exeter should’ve scored more, 2 missed touches for penalties. Kicking to touch instead of points. If we’d taken the points it the first half could’ve easily ended 17-3 and then we could’ve run away with it in the Second half.
2) Exeter should’ve lost! watching it back I don’t see why Hughes was penalized for holding on in the 77th minute when he was clearly on his feet. I get it that JP Doyle said to release the ball and he didn’t listen but IMO that was never a penalty.
All that said though I believe that Exeter were deserved winners on the day and would be surprised if anyone thought otherwise.
re: 2) agreed on that Hughes was the only player at that ruck on his feet, but I also thought that you were lucky to still be with 15 men after that incident to be honest, I don’t know who it was but I thought that the Exeter player who came flying into the ruck at full tilt with what appeared to be mostly head and not much arms could have easily been sin-binned? Got a feeling it wasn’t the first time Hughes had been targeted like that either when legitimately clamped on the ball.
I’d have to re watch it but at the time I thought Hughes had lost his balance and briefly put a hand on the floor to steady himself, hence Doyle calling leave it
As you say though it doesn’t really matter. You play to the ref and the ref told him to leave it
Honestly one of the best games of club rugby I have ever watched. It had everything. Also a lot unexpected errors by seasoned players (see Gopperth’s non-kick/drop) but because it was by both sides that just added to the enjoyment… As a Leicester fan I had no emotional involvement other than an inkling I would prefer Exeter to win – because of the journey they have been on, from lower leagues to premiership finals – and just sat back and enjoyed the rugby on display.
On a side note, very happy to see both Don Armand and Tommy Taylor get called up for England’s Argentina tour – both have been brilliant all season for their respective clubs and deserve a shot at international honours!
Will also vote for Tom Wood to share villain of the week – despite the fact Northampton somehow got away with it!
Mixed feelings regrds Ex v Wasps match. Had no particular affinity to either side since Wasps sent themselves to Coventry. However, as the match neared it’s conclusion, I found myself hoping that Wasps might just pull it off. Likely recalling their glory yrs when they played the most effective & all court rugby in the country under Gatland. Still, probably good for rugby & Exeter, that they prevailed in the end. It would have been cruel for them to have fallen at the last after previously having beaten the ‘invincible’ Saracens.. at the death.
What do Wasps need to do to kick on and expand their trophy cabinet? Keep possession. Up the tempo. Buy another Beale, a new fly1/2 & play like the Lions of ’74.
Cut out simple errors
Are you ready for the Lions? Thoughts? By & Large, surely the ? is, are the Lions ready for NZ? Watched a doc of the ’74 team in S. Africa. Plenty up front; @ scrummage, lineout & in the loose, but with also invention & confidence in attack with interchangeable fwds & backs combining as if they were born to do so @ times. Why, oh why hasn’t the verbose Eddie got England playing like this?! The Lions will have to emulate their forbears to have a chance methinks.
The final was a great match. For me, Exeter played the better rugby and deserved the win, however this was gutting as a Wasps fan as we were leading so close to the end. We can look at the ins and outs of the 100 mins of rugby, but the match wasn’t lost on one decision. Wasps had enough chances to put the game to bed – they didn’t and they lost. They’ll learn from that.
I don’t buy into Wasps ‘buying success’ as a notion. They’re not the English Toulon or the rugby Galactocos. They’ve built a team slowly over a number of years. The core of their team is built on academy graduates or young English talent bought before they were considered championship stock. Yes, we’ve bolstered our squad with stardust, but if you think Salvi, Waldrom, Parling, Dennis, Campinaro etc are playing for cats whiskers and shiny pebbles your deluding yourself.
What can Wasps do to win next season? Continue to play rugby, don’t let anyone drive a wedge into the team and make sure that we don’t go missing for 20 mins most games. Continuity and consistency will ensure we’re there again next season. Wasps Exeter Saracens Leicester will all be good next year. Wasps have fewer English internationals than the others, this may help them this time next year.
Re What do Wasps need? Props. Dai wants to develop what we’ve got but he needs a 10% improvement from them next year.
Re comment about new FH. We were record top try scorers last year because of Cips despite not dominating teams up front. He put Taylor through for the break that led to first try vs Chiefs, then threw a pass in the 22 that no other 10 would have tried to set up a break that should have ended with another try. Class.
Re paying for success – Steady recruitment of young English talent over 5 years with a couple of star additions. Backline with Wade Daly Cips & Simpson all academy players plus Bassett from the Championship. Wasps were first to make a declaration regarding salary cap when others were known to be in breach and Exeter never did.
Fair play to Chiefs. They were relentless. Exceptionally well coached by Rob Baxter and deserved winners on the day.