Baxter keen to move on after win over 'cheats' Saracens
Exeter boss Rob Baxter declared the Chiefs could put their anger at Saracens’ salary cap breach behind them following a 14-7 victory over their arch-rivals – only to then brand them “cheats”.
In the first clash since Saracens were docked 35 points and fined £5.4million for breaking the Gallagher Premiership’s ceiling on player wages, Exeter emerged winners through tries by Nic White and Jacques Vermeulen.
The Chiefs have been the greatest victims of the scandal after losing the two most recent Premiership finals to the champions, who were found to have transgressed for each of the last three seasons.
Owner Tony Rowe has demanded Saracens be stripped of their titles and threatened legal action.
Having initially struck a conciliatory tone after the triumph at Sandy Park, Baxter then opened fire on Mark McCall’s men.
“The best thing about getting this game done is that we can move on,” Baxter said.
“This is a third of the way through the Premiership and we don’t play Saracens again until May, so we need to move on because there are a lot of other important games to play.
“The players have lost a couple of finals to Saracens and they want to be successful in their own right. They want to be winning trophies and titles themselves.
England's midfield will have to make do without Slade it has been revealed. #6Ns #6Nations #EnglandRugbyhttps://t.co/MsWwrnnaBu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 29, 2019
“People have to be careful thinking that Exeter’s only motivation is Saracens because it’s not. Saracens are just one step of the journey.”
But Baxter then continued on BBC Radio 5 Live: “There are supporters of rugby clubs who have watched coaches getting sacked and players leave and all different kinds of things, and part of that has been because of Saracens cheating. You can’t run away from it.
“Sometimes the people who have pointed out that Saracens have cheated almost get pointed out to be the bad guys.
This grudge match was always going to boil over and it did in the 76th minute. #EXEvSARhttps://t.co/VkrPalfQKP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 29, 2019
“Well, the people who have made comment on it aren’t the cheats. And that is the bit that some rugby supporters have felt more frustrated about.”
Exeter’s win was marred by a red card shown to Harry Williams who, having been substituted, later left the dug-out to get involved in a mass brawl.
“I have had a chat with Harry and he is obviously disappointed with it,” Baxter said.
“He has not gone in there and done anything physically violent. He has gone in there because he saw an Exeter Chiefs player was surrounded and mobbed. He felt he was helping out.
“We need to have a good look at it and see what the outcome of that will be because ultimately that is an important player who may not be available for a period of time.”
Rob Baxter: A lot of other important games to play. So many other teams to play. Great as it is to win today we need to move on. pic.twitter.com/D3XFZwZ820
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 29, 2019
Saracens picked up a losing bonus point in their quest to escape relegation and McCall saw no shame in losing at Sandy Park.
“We have nine games after the Six Nations and I know we are capable of going on a good run then,” he said.
? "We have such good competition against this team."
? "We didn't worry about what was in front of us."
Jack Nowell and Joe Simmonds speak to @Sarraelgan following Exeter Chiefs' victory over Saracens… pic.twitter.com/JD0X7iDKAe
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 29, 2019
“We have to pick up what we can now and a point at Exeter isn’t a complete disaster. The players stuck in there right until the end.
“We had a lot of time close to their goal line and we just weren’t good enough to capitalise.
“Some of it was magnificent defence from Exeter, but if you come away from home you need to take advantage of those chances.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments