Dennis relishing his new start

By Mark Stevens in Sydney
26/6/2016

Dave Dennis says the desire to test himself in another challenging environment played a key part in his decision to seal a move to the Exeter Chiefs this summer.

The Australian international is one of three new faces - alongside compatriot Greg Holmes and Ollie Devoto - set to join Rob Baxter’s squad ahead of the new 2016/17 season, arriving in Devon from Super Rugby franchise the NSW Waratahs on a three-year deal.

A key figure on and off the field at the Waratahs for almost ten years, the 30-year-old feels the time is now right for him to depart Sydney and test himself in the battle fields of the Aviva Premiership and Champions Cup.

Given a glowing endorsement of his new club from former Chiefs Dean Mumm and Chris Malone, both of whom are part of the current Tahs make-up, Dennis is now counting down the days before he racks up at Sandy Park.

Sat in the cafe adjacent to the imposing Allianz Stadium, the 18-cap Aussie forward is buzzing with excitement about his impending move to the Westcountry, firing in a heap of questions about his new surroundings and what he can expect on his arrival at his new home.

The answers, as we all know, is that he is joining one of English rugby’s most vibrant outposts and a squad that is hungry for success, having got so close to lifting their first-ever Aviva Premiership title last term.

“I was excited the day it was all finalised that I was joining Exeter, and every day it is getting closer, and I am looking forward to getting over to England and getting settled,’ said Dennis, who captained the Waratahs for three years, including the year they lifted the Super Rugby title in 2014.

“I watched the back end of the season and the disappointment of the boys not winning the Premiership final against Saracens, but I am excited to be joining a really strong rugby programme, and hopefully I can go one step further with the boys next year.”

As part of his own investigations into his new club, Dennis has sought out the sound advice of a number of people, including former Exeter fly-half Malone and Mumm, who has also been instrumental in selling the Chiefs to fellow Aussies Greg Holmes and Lachie Turner in recent times.

“Every person I spoke to said some really good things about Exeter,” continued Dennis. “I haven’t heard a bad word so far, so that is pretty exciting, and not only about the rugby programme but the city as a whole and the people and the community and the fans.

“You always want to play your rugby in that type of environment – a professional programme but also for fans who appreciate how hard you work – so I am really looking forward to it.”

Although it’s unlikely Dennis will move to England until the end of July, he still has a job to do at the Waratahs, a club he holds deep to his heart and who he will always be thankful to for giving him his big chance.

He added: “I have loved every season, but as a player, I think you always have that burning desire to test yourself in a foreign climate, and this is a great opportunity for me to play a totally different style of rugby, with different players and different coaches, and grow as a player.

“I feel as though I have contributed well here over the years, but I think I have still got a lot more to offer a rugby team, and hopefully, getting into a programme like Exeter, I can improve my game and add a bit to their squad.

“Becoming a better player over there can only be a good thing, and whether that means selection for the national team again, which I haven’t experienced for a while, who knows, but I just really want to go over there and have a couple of good years and add to the success of the club.

“Exeter have slowly got better and better, particularly over the last couple of years, in where they have finished in the Premiership, and having a brief chat with Rob (head coach Baxter) and some of the guys that have been there, their ambitions are still high to push on and win that first ever Premiership title, and do well in Europe as well, so I think I’ve made the right choice and I’m really looking forward to getting over there.’

Helping to form the welcoming party at Sandy Park will be a clutch of fellow Australians, such as Holmes, Turner, Mitch Lees, Ben White, Ollie Atkins and Julian Salvi.

He continued: “There are a few Aussies there and hopefully they haven’t changed too much!

“I am sure they know how to drink pints a bit better than I do, so I need a bit of practice there, but I am really looking forward to embracing the local culture, and experiencing everything Exeter has to offer, as both a rugby club and a city.”

Also teaming up with Dennis will be fellow Chiefs Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Henry Slade, all of whom have been part of England’s series-winning side against the Wallabies this summer.

Dennis has watched closely the games that have been played and when asked about the difference between Super Rugby and the Premiership, he admitted both had ‘strengths and weaknesses’.

“We have seen in the Test series between Australia and England what an English style of rugby can do to a team. They won the first two Tests purely through sticking to their strengths and what they do well,” said Dennis.

“Their forwards have been unbelievable, with their physicality and how robust they have been with their carries, and their set piece has been very solid.

“There are plenty of ways to win a rugby game, whether you believe that is through attacking and doing lots of running, or a bit of the tighter stuff.

“I have enjoyed playing Super Rugby and it is exciting to play in, but I think you can also enjoy that more physical, tighter stuff, and I think Exeter have a really clear way they want to play the game, and I think any successful club has that clear identity. I have watched a few Exeter games this season over here in Oz, and every time they play they seem to play the same way, and I think that’s a really positive thing.”

Dennis was  alsovery impressed with what Baxter said to him, and added: ‘As a coach he is motivated to make me a better player, and I think that is really impressive and that shines through with his demeanour and the way he talks, and he dedicates his time to making every player a better player.”