Chiefs Women to face Harlequins
By Harry Scott-Munro
17/9/21
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach, Susie Appleby, admitted that she is hoping her side show “a good version of themselves” tomorrow as they take on reigning Allianz Premier 15s champions Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop (3pm.)
Last weekend against Sale Sharks, the Chiefs rediscovered that winning feeling, producing a rampant 54-0 victory that went a long way towards atoning for the disappointing performance against Bristol Bears in Round One.
Reflecting on the match, Appleby was pleased that her side “did a lot of things right,” but admitted that there were still areas to continue to improve upon.
“The first thing you need is physicality and the girls really brought that, especially upfront,” she explained. “We dominated the contact area and that allowed us to express ourselves. It wasn’t perfect, but Sale are a good side and we made them look average at times.”
That physicality is something that Appleby will be hoping her side can bring again against an unbeaten Harlequins side that have scored over 100 points in their opening two matches against Loughborough Lightning and Worcester Warriors. The Chiefs boss was quick to admit that it will be a challenge from the first minute against Gerard Mullen’s team, albeit one that she hopes her side can rise to.
“They’ve got good organised first and second phase defence, but if you can get them into different areas, then you can find them out. You’ve got to create those opportunities. But, if you don’t bring that physicality against them, you have no hope. If we bring that and more against Quins on Saturday, it’ll put us in an interesting position.”
Last weekend’s match saw eight tries scored in all, with the set-piece dominance of the pack allowing Exeter’s free-flowing attacking structure to take shape. Appleby was full of praise for her forwards, but acknowledged they would have to hit the same levels on Saturday if they are to challenge Harlequins.
“McKinley [Hunt] was outstanding, as were a lot of the forwards last week. They really put their hands up and challenged the defence to stop them. Looking ahead, that’s exactly what we need to bring to Quins.”
Appleby reserved particular praise though for standout performer DaLeaka Menin, who shone in both the tight and the loose at Sandy Park. Having arrived from Loughborough over the summer, Appleby believes that her side are now starting to see the best of the prop now that she has fully learnt the club structures and systems.
“DaLeaka is a class player, but she has had to learn how we play. Last week, she really got to grips with it and got herself into really good places to get on the ball,” Appleby explained. “That’s where DaLeaka excels, and her scrummaging was pretty good as well. It’s not complicated, the better you understand the system you’re playing in, the better you are going to be.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s match, Appleby has been forced into somewhat of a reshuffle due to injuries. With Gabby Cantorna ruled out with an ankle injury, Flo Robinson will start her first competitive game for the club at fly-half with summer signing Brooke Bradley making her first start at nine, after impressing off the bench last weekend.
Having performed superbly in the backs towards the back end of last season, co-captain Kate Zackary shifts from the back-row to inside centre, allowing Merryn Doidge to return to her natural position at full-back, Liv Jones reverting to the bench.
Zackary’s move into the backs sees Dutch No.8 Linde van der Velden return to the starting line-up, with Maisy Allen also returning to the match-day 23.
When quizzed on where she felt her side could potentially look to threaten Harlequins, Appleby highlighted the success that Worcester Warriors had last weekend against the Londoners in the aerial kicking battle, as they scored five tries to take a bonus-point. With conditions set to be dry and sunny, Appleby will be hoping that her side exploit any opportunities that come their way.
“We’ve had a look at how Worcester exploited [Quins] and managed to take the opportunities. At some points, Quins didn’t put in a great kick chase and that’s where Worcester found their holes. If they give us those opportunities, [there’s a chance.]”
