It's All or Nothing, insists Slade
By Steve Grace
25/5/18
Henry Slade knows Exeter Chiefs’ impressive displays so far this season will count for nothing if they don’t beat Saracens in the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on Saturday at Twickenham.
Despite Chiefs finishing top of the table by a considerable distance – eight points ahead of their counterparts – Slade understands anything can happen in knock-out rugby, having both won and lost in an Aviva Premiership Rugby Final in the last two years.
“When it comes down to it, it’s the final, nothing else previous matters come finals day,” the centre said. “Finishing the season at the top is really good, getting the home semi-final is great, but it doesn’t count for much now.
“I think in the first final we maybe let the occasion get to us first half and had a bit of a slow start, we brought it back in the second half but realistically gave ourselves a bit too much to do.
“You’ve got to scrap for everything in this league and we sat down together as a bunch of players and coaches and spoke about that, spoke about working hard and playing what’s in front of you and fighting for everything.”
Having been defeated by Saracens in the 2016 final, Slade has first-hand experience of their capability and is wary of the power Mark McCall’s men have in the locker.
“A large part of the game is mental in terms of finding 5 per cent in how hard you hit in collisions, especially against Saracens, you’ve got some big lads able to win the momentum and get over the gain-line,” said the 25-year-old.
“To beat Saracens you’ve got to be good in all areas, they’re a top side, but we’re looking forward to getting out there and putting our best foot forward.”
Now in his sixth season with Chiefs, Slade and his long-term teammates have seen the club grow into one of the best sides in England, and now believes the camaraderie and spirit in the camp will take them over the line.
He added: “There’s a load of us who have been playing together for a long while now and it’s really nice to be playing with your mates, especially in occasions like this.
“A Premiership final playing with your best mates is class, you can’t ask for more.
“It’s been a massive squad effort, even boys who haven’t played as much in the prem have been massive drivers in training.
“In the last few weeks we’ve had some really tasty training sessions, nothing prepares you better for a game, having a tough couple of days in the week gets you in the zone.”