Waldrom keen to build on Saints win
By Mark Stevens
27/2/18
Thomas Waldrom insists Exeter Chiefs must use their last-gasp victory over Northampton Saints at the weekend as the launch pad for a storming end to their Aviva Premiership season.
The reigning champions ended a three-game losing streak when the free-scoring No.8 claimed his side's all-important fourth try with the very last play of the game at Sandy Park.
Down 30-17 with just over ten minutes remaining, late scores from Don Armand and Waldrom not only ensured a 31-30 victory for Rob Baxter's side, but at the same time allowed them to reclaim pole position in the standings with just six rounds remaining.
But, according to Waldrom, there is still areas for the Chiefs to work on and with next-best Saracens next on the agenda this Saturday (3pm), the Devonians will need to further improve their game for this top of the table encounter.
"Saturday was a good, hard-fought win for us, but we did make it hard for ourselves," said the 34-year-old forward. "I'm sure there will be a few tough words this week as there were parts of our game that still weren't as good as we wanted.
"Yes, it was nice to finish off like we did, the last 15, 20 minutes were outstanding rugby, but we know we need to touch up other parts of our game."
The victory, however, was just the lift the Chiefs needed after a run of games in which their league rivals have shown what it means to be Baxter's side.
"We know every team is after us, but every game in the Premiership is tough," added Waldrom, whose late touchdown took him to 51 tries in 95 appearances for the club. "That is what I liked about the Premiership, you never get an easy week. I've played all over the world and this is definitely the toughest competition.
"Grinding out five points like we did against Northampton, it all counts at the end of the day, and it will definitely help come the end of the season when you want to be in that top two to get home advantage in the semi-finals."
And it was reigning European champions Saracens who the Chiefs tackled in the semi-finals at Sandy Park last season. This Saturday they provide the opposition to Waldrom and his team-mates, who need little reminding of the threat carried by Mark McCall's men.
"Sarries are a top side, so it will be a big test for us at the weekend," said Waldrom. "A bit like us, they may not have been too impressed with their performances of late, but they've been picking up points and they are very much in the hunt at the top of the table.
"Hopefully, it will be two good teams really going at it come the weekend, so we need to put our best foot forward.
"We've said as a team we want to hold onto our title and we want the crowd cheering us on. We don't like losing games, especially here, so we have to make this place a fortress and make it hard for teams when they come here.
"At the weekend we were probably guilty of giving away too many easy points, so that's something we need to address because we can't afford to do that against Sarries."