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'It's a little bit of a trip into the unknown' - Baxter wary ahead of Exeter's first midweek game
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter admits his Gallagher Premiership leaders are entering uncharted territory ahead of the league’s first set of midweek fixtures. The Chiefs meet second-placed Bristol at Ashton Gate holding an eight-point advantage over the Bears, but both camps ring the changes with pressure on squads during the congested run-in to this coronavirus-hit campaign.
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Exeter make 14 changes from the team that won at Sale on Friday, while Bristol make nine alterations to the side that secured a seventh successive Premiership victory over Gloucester in round 15.
“It’s a little bit of a trip into the unknown,” Baxter told the Chiefs’ official website.
“This is our first midweek fixture, which is interesting in itself, and it’s our first short turnaround from a game at the weekend.
“When you look at it, it’s probably going to be the first time where teams will genuinely make a lot of changes, because there are the regulations for these midweek blocks where you have that element of limiting game minutes for players and also that no players can start all three games.
“Going to Bristol at any time should be exciting, but because it’s a top-of-the-table clash in the Premiership it just adds to everything.”
Only wing Olly Woodburn, making his third start since lockdown, remains from the Sale win, while Bristol recall Charles Piutau, Luke Morahan and Piers O’Conor to an exciting backline that again includes Fijian powerhouse Semi Radradra.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam played down the significance of the match, saying: “As far as we’re concerned it’s just another game where five points are available as we all scramble to try and get into that top four for the play-offs.
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“The only way we can compete with Exeter is to be a team ourselves and get our jobs right. All the other stuff is not going to win us the game.”
On a night of crunch meetings, third-placed Wasps host Sale Sharks, in fourth, at the Ricoh Arena.
Wasps have won their two games in impressive fashion since rugby returned and boss Lee Blackett has named all but one of the XV who started the success at Northampton Saints on August 16.
Jeff Toomaga-Allen replaces the injured Kieran Brookes from that Franklin’s Gardens victory.
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A near clean sweep of changes, but still a strong side. #BRIvEXE https://t.co/Hyc71Sin1o
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 24, 2020
Sale shuffle their squad with nine changes to their matchday 23, and director of rugby Steve Diamond has called for an improvement after defeats to Harlequins and Exeter.
“We’ve dropped two places in two weeks. If that continues we’re out of the title race,” Diamond said.
Semi is set to test the mettle of Exeter Chiefs' backline. https://t.co/dKCmMixc0R
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 24, 2020
“We need to put a sharp halt to that decline and pick some points up. A lot has been made of the lockdown and we were in good form before it.
“I made a suggestion we didn’t want to be like Leicester City, who went into lockdown as the form team and didn’t do much after.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 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.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 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.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 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.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou 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?
45 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.
12 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
12 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.
12 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 comments