Hepher hails Chiefs win
By Mark Stevens
16/9/17
Exeter Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher praised the attitude of his side after they made it back-to-back wins in the Aviva Premiership with victory away to Worcester Warriors on Friday night.
The defending champions followed up their home win over London Irish by producing another impressive five-try triumph against the winless Midlanders.
Young No.8 Sam Simmonds again led the way for the Chiefs, scoring his second brace of the season, while there were further touchdowns for Jack Nowell, Jonny Hill and Olly Woodburn. Fly-half Gareth Steenson added a further 16 points to complete a very happy away-day for the Devon visitors.
Reflecting on his side’s performance at Sixways, Hepher said: “I’m chuffed to bit with the attitude we are showing right now. Even in the Gloucester game, we showed the right attitude about us. We were a little bit inaccurate up there and we’ve still got one or two inaccuracies about us, but ultimately we are in right frame of mind to attack teams, so that is pleasing.
“It’s what we want as a side and when you perform like we did tonight, plus have the attitude we are showing, more often than not the result takes care of itself.”
In an often one-sided encounter, the Warriors - who had lost at home to Wasps last Sunday - struggled to contain the power, pace and physical threat of the Chiefs.
First half tries from Simmonds, Nowell and Hill helped to give the Chiefs a 24-3 lead at the break, before the Warriors countered with a converted score from prop Biyi Alo early in the second half. That, however, would be a rare highlight in a contest where the Chiefs wrapped up all five points thanks to further scores from Woodburn and Simmonds.
“When you look at Worcester’s try, although we did concede after a series of pressure, they had to work hard incredibly hard to score that try,” added Hepher. “That took a lot out of them in terms of the fatigue factor and it then allowed us to get on top again.
“Overall, I though our defence looked very organised tonight and that in turn presented us with turnover opportunities to attack from. As I said, I can’t be more pleased with a lot of what we did this evening.”
Not for the first time this season, it was back-row forward Simmonds who stole the show, producing another eye-catching display from the base of the Exeter scrum. His latest double took him to 11 tries in 15 games and Hepher was quick to hail the contribution made by the 22-year-old.
“Simmo was knocking on the door last year,” said Hepher. “With that added year and with him being a bit more confident of being around this level, we are really starting to see the benefits. When he play sevens he looks comfortable and looks like a back, he has superb pace, and has that physical edge around the contact area. All in all, he offers a very big all-round package to the side.
“Yes, there are still bits of his game to work on, but we will do that and help him improve even more. However, he’s one hell of a prospect going forward.”
Next up for the Chiefs is next Sunday’s visit of Wasps to Sandy Park, a meeting which pairs the two clubs together for the first time since Exeter overcame them in last season’s Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham.
Hepher knows Dai Young’s side will be gunning for revenge following their heartache in May, but acknowledges as champions the Chiefs will be a prized scalp for all and sundry this season, including Wasps.
“We knew everyone would want to attack us as champions,” continued Hepher. “What pleases us as coaches is that things have not dipped in terms of our attitude and we look hungry for another title. We are aware we still have things to work on, but we’ll rest the guys up tonight, then come out fighting next week. We know it’s going to be a big battle, against a quality side, but that’s what you kind of expect at this level.”