Susie Appleby - Match Reaction
By Harry Scott-Munro
2/10/21
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby was delighted with how her side “played smarter” as they secured a comeback 23-13 victory over Wasps Women in the Allianz Premier 15s at a soaking wet Sandy Park.
Although Wasps led at the break through an Amy Wilson Hardy try, second-half efforts from DaLeaka Menin and Rachel Johnson, along with 13 points from Gabby Cantorna, saw the Chiefs move into the top four for the first time this season.
In atrocious conditions, the Chiefs bossed possession and territory in the first half, but it was the visitors who scored the all-important try to lead at the break 5-3.
Reflecting on that first half, Appleby explained how she and her coaching staff had told her side to play with “more pragmatism” in the face of horrific conditions.
“We had a lot of opportunities early on which we didn’t convert,” she said. “They then went down the other end and scored, which was tough. We didn’t really manage the conditions well in the first half, but we talked things through at half-time.
“In the second half, we played with more pragmatism, getting to those areas where we know we can score – and we ended up scoring two good tries.”
Appleby also praised the impact of scrum-half Patricia Garcia, as she made her first appearance of the season, having been away on international duty.
“Patricia Garcia coming on with her experience, made a big difference. We played a lot smarter in that second half and got the result we needed to get, which was a significant one, to back it up after the victory against Quins.”
Appleby also highlighted the importance of reading the game with her side using their plethora of kicking options to keep Wasps trapped in their own half.
“We told the girls to not play too much, especially in our own half of the field,” she added. “We played in their half and forced them to do something. Their back three were not kicking and so, once we played down there, it was hard for them to get back out.
The Chiefs coach also spoke highly of the performance of her pack, crediting them for the way they dealt with Claire Molloy, a player who Appleby described as “one of the best 7s in the game.”
“It’s not rocket science, especially on a day like today. You need to dominate up front and get your set-piece right, which we did,” admitted Appleby. “One of the best 7s in the world in Claire Molloy was opposite us, but she didn’t really feature to steal any of our ball, which is a massive compliment to how our girls performed.”
With the arrival of Springbok Zintle Mphupa in midweek and the return to camp of Garcia, Laura Delgado and new signing Chloe Rollie, there is now some serious competition for places in Appleby’s squad, with the Head Coach acknowledging that the added competition was crucial as her side look to climb the table.
“That’s how you get to the top four, then the top two and ultimately, to the top. You don’t just have a group of 23 that roll in and out each week. You need competition for shirts and it’s how players embrace it, get better and push each other,” she highlighted.
“Just because a player is coming back in from internationals, doesn’t mean they will necessarily get selected. It’s a dilemma for us as coaches, which is a great place to be in.”