'Everyone assumes the challenge is not to go out for a beer - that isn't the challenge'
A recent surge in the number of Covid-19 cases across England has Exeter coach Rob Baxter on tenterhooks that someone in the Chiefs squad could contract the virus and miss out on the biggest games of the season.
Exeter host Bath on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Gallagher Premiership, a match that will be followed by the October 17 Champions Cup final against Racing in Bristol and then the Premiership final at Twickenham on October 24 if Chiefs qualify.
Baxter has revealed that his club have had “less than a handful” of cases since they returned to work during the summer. However, with places like universities back in business and the instances of Covid-19 on the rise among the general public, the Exeter coach has reminded his players not to let their guard down just as the 2019/20 season is reaching its showpiece conclusion.
“As rugby clubs around the country we are probably in our most dangerous period – and I include us in that,” he said ahead of the league semi-final where Exeter officially only found out on Wednesday morning that they would play Bath after Sale’s race was run following the revelation that they had eight more positive tests in their camp, bringing their total to 27.
“If you look at Exeter, we’re now a hotspot. Exeter and Devon have gone from one of the lowest areas of Covid to being in the top 20 hotspots now based purely on infections that have multiplied very quickly based around Exeter University and Exeter is a small city, so right now we are probably at our most vulnerable as we have been.
Last week's 'abandon tests' remark didn't age wellhttps://t.co/d9rk8LsJtp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2020
“I imagine Bath are in a similar situation with their university in that all of a sudden where you have had very little infections or cases or anything in the hospital, we’re in a hotspot now so the danger of a player picking up an infection and failing a test just through going into a shop or literally anything is far greater now than it was at any time during the lockdown.
“We’re telling the players and staff on a pretty much daily basis what the scenario is around new cases in the city, why they have to be diligent. Everyone assumes the challenge is not to go out for a beer – that isn’t the challenge. The players twigged that months ago.
“The challenge is the things you would think are not that problematic, like maybe going for a cup of coffee, going for food at lunchtime or an evening or even the city centre shops. That’s the thing: it’s not about being reckless, it’s about understanding beyond that.
“Now you also need to remember we have got players who have got wives who work, children who are at school, we can’t just put them in a bubble. It’s just an impossible scenario. It just doesn’t work like that so all we can do is ask our players to be diligent.
“I know from the test results we have had up until now over multiple months they must be doing that because we have had less than a handful (of Covid cases), so I know they are being good.
“Our biggest problem is don’t let your guard down, keep working at being good and have an understanding that the last thing anybody wants is to fail a Covid test now which will automatically mean you will miss one, possible two huge games for the club. You can’t do much more than expect buy-in from players and staff and I’m very confident we are getting that that is what has to continue.”
Refusing to twist the knife https://t.co/TjQVj9IuqC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments