Baxter sees positives in defeat

By Mark Stevens
5/9/2016

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter refused to be too downbeat despite seeing his side slip to a narrow 22-20 defeat against Wasps in their seasonal opener on Sunday.

For long periods at the Ricoh Arena it looked as though last season’s Aviva Premiership runners-up would be kicking off the new campaign on a high note. However, a spirited fightback from Wasps in the second half saw them overcome a 17-8 deficit at the break to triumph.

New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth led the way for the Midlanders with a 15-point haul, while Dan Robson and summer signing Tommy Taylor also got in on the scoring act with tries.

In reply, the Chiefs countered with converted first half tries from Thomas Waldrom and Will Chudley, while Henry Slade kicked the remainder of the points for the visitors.

Sadly, though, it was not enough for Baxter’s side, who must regroup quickly as they prepare to tackle reigning English and European champions Saracens at Sandy Park this Sunday (3pm).

“I tend to look at the bigger picture when we lose games, but bigger picture we’ve got a losing bonus point away from home against a top three side from last season, which I would tend to call a par result,” said Baxter post-match.

“That said, we had the opportunity to go a little bit above par today had we been a little more clinical in what we did. At the same time, I thought Wasps did very well to seize the game during a period there in the second half and we never really wrestled it back if the truth be known.

“I want to have a look at that period to see if we went a bit edgy or a big quiet – or whether it was just good play from Wasps because they did some very good things in the second period.

“There are a few individuals in the changing room which, when you lose a close game like that, will look at things they did in the game and question a few things, but those are things that I’m sure we can work on moving forward.”

Indeed, Baxter believes he saw enough in the performance to give him encouragement moving forward.

“For a first performance, that’s a pretty good baseline to work off,” said Baxter. “I’ll talk to the players this week and remind them that last season we put in a pretty good performance at Bath, one where we were in control for long periods of the game – similar to today – and although we got a losing bonus point that day, we used that performance to build what was a very successful season for us.

“The battle for us now is that we use today’s baseline and that we improve, which I’ve no doubt we will do. Looking at the guys in the changing rooms they needed a tough game like that to get the lungs and the legs going.

“This will be good for us, I’ve no doubt. Right now we’ve got a pretty frustrated and disappointed changing room in there and I’m expecting to see a response next week.

“Would I have like to have won today?

“Of course I would, but am I disappointed with the performance? No.

“As I said, there were frustrating elements to our game, but there is nothing we can’t put right quickly.”

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