Table-topping Chiefs delight Baxter
By Mark Stevens
22/12/18
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter praised his side as they ensured themselves of the Christmas No.1 spot in the Gallagher Premiership with victory over visiting Saracens at Sandy Park.
The Devonians pocketed maximum reward against the Londoners, who had arrived in town boasting a 22-game unbeaten run that stretched back to April when they were undone by Leinster in last season’s Champions Cup.
Fly-half Owen Farrell gave Sarries the ideal start, shooting them in front with two successful penalties, but once Luke Cowan-Dickie claimed the first of Exeter’s four tries on the day, there would be no stopping the Chiefs as they collected their ninth win of the league campaign so far.
Harry Williams and Matt Kvesic added second half touchdowns, alongside a penalty try, for the home side, while all Saracens could muster in terms of a response was a late converted score from scrum-half Ben Spencer.
It was little wonder that Baxter was able to toast a famous victory for his side when he addressed the media following the final whistle.
“I’m obviously very pleased with the result,” he said. “I said before the game - and I know this may sound a little odd - but the result was of secondary importance to me today. I said to the coaches and also to my family beforehand that I just wanted us to come out of the game, knowing that we’ve really challenged Saracens, and for the players to come off the field, whatever the result, knowing that there are areas where we can put pressure on them and where we can do good things in the game.”
In what was the first meeting the two clubs since last May’s Premiership Final at Twickenham, where Saracens overcame the Chiefs 27-10, this was the perfect riposte from Baxter and his side, who were also desperate to put on a show having come unstuck on home turf for the first time since February when they lost to Gloucester in the Champions Cup a fortnight ago.
“We didn’t approach the final in the way I’ve just outlined, but we certainly did today,” added Baxter. “We approached it by saying there are some areas where we think we can gain some momentum, but to do that you have to be prepared to work hard to do it and you have to be committed to do it. Today, that was certainly the case and for me that’s more important than us scoring the bonus point
“I thought our attitude to go after the game, where did didn’t just take shots at goal, but instead we kept ourselves on the front foot, was excellent. Our kick chase energy and our defensive energy, it helped to keep us in the right areas. It also allowed us to grow and grow as the game went on. Again, those are the bits that really pleased me because at time today we made Saracens look a bit ragged.”
Although it was a powerful performance from the Chiefs, Baxter insisted there were still a couple of areas for his side to work on ahead of next Friday’s to Northampton Saints.
“Again, we weren’t faultless and I was frustrated with a couple of the early penalties we gave away,” added Baxter.“That’s how you play into Saracens’ hands because it allows them to build their pressure. Today, though, we didn’t allow things to get us to us too much, unlike the other week at home to Gloucester where we made lots of mistakes and looked very shaky.”
After Cowan-Dickie’s first half score, the Chiefs turned down at least two kickable penalty chances in search of higher reward by kicking to the corner.Initially, Saracens did very well to repel that threat, but with the Chiefs refusing to go away from their adopted method, eventually their pressure turned into points on the scoreboard.
“With hindsight, I’m bound to say we made the best decisions out there, because it was all part of the wearing down process,” added Baxter. “At the time, however, you could criticise certain decisions, but overall I thought we got the balance of things right today. As coaches, we weren’t sending on messages every time, we simply sat back and let the guys out on the pitch make the decision.
“Sometimes you have to see how they feel because if they feel they want to come over the top of Saracens at some stage, then it’s going to take a few goes. As I said, we knew it may take time, but I thought we got the balance right, which at the end became a huge factor.”
Back three points clear of Saracens at the top of the table, Baxter says he will now turn his attentions to his side’s next game against the Saints on December 28, rather than worry about what effect this result will have on the battle for honours this season.
“At this stage it doesn’t say too much,” continued the Chiefs DoR. “There has been a lot said and written about ourselves and Saracens and the gap we have created at the top. People are saying it will be difficult for everyone else, but I don’t quite believe that. For me, there is still an awful lot of points for sides to get, ourselves included, and if you think how grouped up it is below the top two, I think you may see a seismic shift in the way the league is running come the second half of the season.
“I’ve no doubt that Saracens will respond to this result. Good teams using defeats like today in a positive way, so I don’t see it as hurting them to much. What it may do for us is give us a renewed confidence and vigour that if we do what we do, and we do it well, with lots of energy, we are a tough side for anyone. And I think the most important thing we can take from today is that on our day, we can be a very good side, but to do that we have to be ourselves.”