High praise from Baxter for his Chiefs
By Mark Stevens
27/9/20
When the Heineken Cup was first played out 25 years ago, Exeter Rugby Club were plying their trade in the fourth tier of English Rugby.
Rob Baxter, the club’s current Director of Rugby, was himself packing down against the likes of Aspatria, Havant, Liverpool St Helens, Walsall and local foes Plymouth Albion and Redruth.
Toulouse, on the other hand, are one of European Rugby’s stellar names. Four-time winners of the Heineken Cup, including that first year against Cardiff.
Yesterday, the two met at Sandy Park in a Battle Royale, the prize of which was the chance to face Racing 92 in next month’s final at Ashton Gate.
In a bruising encounter between two of the game’s modern-day heavyweights, it was Baxter’s Chiefs who delivered the knock-out blow, flooring their French rivals 28-18.
Tries from Harry Williams (2), Sam Simmonds and Joe Simmonds, who also converted all four scores, were the highlights in a Chiefs display that told you everything you need to know about this select bunch.
Ten years after gaining promotion into English rugby’s top flight, the Devonians have not just made their mark, but they have fast established themselves as one the game’s rapidly-emerging giants.
Baxter, who has played, captained and now coached the Chiefs, beamed with delight when asked about his side’s triumph post-match.
“It’s incredible isn’t it?
“The journey is part of what we are about as a club. It has always been about having things to aim for to go for. The important thing is to not go away it is a little bit like this club’s history. We dropped down to the fourth division and we got promoted and we then spent ages in the Championship trying to get out of there.
“We slowly built this place [Sandy Park] and we got there. Those decisions to keep going and no go away are the most important.”
In a game where Toulouse dominated the opening quarter, it was Exeter’s resilience and willingness to stay in the fight that saw them not only come from 6-0 down, but then 11-7 down, to lead 14-11 at the break.
The second half, however, it was the home side who flexed their muscles, particularly up front, to add two more converted scores before Mattis Lebel claimed a late consolation for the Frenchmen.
Quite rightly, Baxter was quick to salute all 23 of his players, who had given everything to create another big day out for the Chiefs.
“It’s having an 80-minute game plan and having a confidence in it and the lads buying into it. That ultimately saw us through today,” he added.
“We had to weather the storm, we had to make them work hard for their points, but ultimately that’s what allowed us to get some points later on.
“Big games of rugby, they are like boxing matches. At some stages, the guy who can’t get his hands up any more can get knocked out. And we created enough of those moments today.
“Everyone bought into the overall 80 minutes. We made Toulouse have to keep getting off the floor, and made them have to keep doing something to get metres. Everyone bought into the whole 80-minute thing. What is the best way of fatiguing a big guy? You stick him on the floor and get him to get up.”
The Chiefs’ forwards drove them into the final, as prop Williams scored two tries, No.8 Sam Simmonds also touched down, before younger brother Joe Simmonds added a stunning individual score.
Baxter added: “I feel very proud about it, but I feel amazing for the players. This European season has been the longest ever. Our first pool game against La Rochelle was months and months ago, and we started this European journey then.
“Then we had lockdown, and our guys stayed in good nick. They worked hard, and that has allowed us to push on. You have got to keep handing it back to the players when you see performances like today.
“It has been a lot of hard work from a lot of good people, and it does feel like a fantastic achievement. Going up the road for the final is a reward you get for working hard through the pool. That’s how it works.
“You go after it in the pool, and you end end up being one of the top seeds. We feel we have got the right players fit and fresh at this stage of the season, which is more important than anything else, and it feels like we are coming together at the right time.
“We are still only in a final and a semi-final. We could lose two games, and our season could finish, effectively, so there is still an awful lot for us to have to work for.”