Hepher hails fighting spirit
By Mark Stevens
25/8/18
Ali Hepher was full of praise for his Exeter Chiefs side after they wrapped up their pre-season plans with a hard-fought 12-0 victory over Munster in Cork.
First half tries from Olly Woodburn and Harry Williams, one of which was converted by fly-half Gareth Steenson, proved the difference for the visitors at Irish Independent Park.
A dominant opening 40 minutes in attack was matched by an equally impressive defensive display after the break from the Chiefs, who will now focus their thoughts on next Saturday’s seasonal opener in the Gallagher Premiership against visiting Leicester Tigers (4:30pm).
“We started pretty fast, we were slick and put some good phases together, and there were probably a few points we left out there as well, which is good to work on,” said Hepher.
“We then saw the real grit in our defence. We still made a couple of errors and there were a couple of line breaks, but the fight in the lads to try and keep out a good Munster side was fantastic.”
More of the same will be demanded from the Devonians against the Tigers, who themselves warmed up for the new campaign with a healthy 46-17 win over London Irish in their final pre-season fixture at Welford Road.
“It is all about how we rock up for training on Monday and whether we get the mentality right because we clearly seem like we are in a good place at the minute, but we have got to make sure we put ourselves in an even better place ready to take on a Premiership game in front of a big crowd at Sandy Park,” added Hepher.
“It can be good winning in Munster if we take the confidence from it, and back that up with a work ethic and attitude next week, but equally, if we sit back on this, then we will get taught a lesson by Leicester.”
Looking back over their three pre-season games, which saw wins over Cardiff Blues and Munster and a defeat by Cornish Pirates, Hepher added: “The lads really worked hard in our initial training block, which was great, and then they had a week off so they were refreshed.
“The three games were important for us in very different ways.We had to make sure we knuckled down to the things we do well, and make sure we do the things we do well, and we have added little bits along the way as well, and that is important to go forward.”
He continued: “The three fixtures were key for us and that’s why we wanted them, and the best one for us was the Pirates one. That really got us to knuckle down and focus our energies in the right way, and then to come away to Munster is a fantastic challenge and a great club to visit and we are pleased with how it has gone.
“But what we do from Monday morning through to Saturday will determine whether it has been a good pre-season.
“We know what qualities Leicester have got right across their team and it is all geared up for a tremendous game to start the Premiership season.”