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Joe Marler was the victim of a dangerous clearout that resulted in a red card for Exeter’s Alec Hepburn, but Harlequins still needed a last-gasp Marcus Smith conversion to prevail 14-12 in a repeat of last season’s Gallagher Premiership final.
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Marler landed on his head in first-half stoppage time when Hepburn, who was assisted by team-mate Sam Simmonds, took out the England prop and referee Ian Tempest promptly sent him off.
The Exeter loosehead rather than Simmonds was deemed to have played the key role in upending Marler and the incident came at the end of a half in which the front-row rivals regularly exchanged verbals.
Even with the Chiefs a man down, Quins were initially unable to build on the half-time score of 7-7 after blowing a series of chances in the third quarter, albeit in conditions made treacherous by heavy rain.
Even allowing for the unpredictable handling, it was wasteful from the champions, who prevailed 40-38 when the rivals clashed at Twickenham in June, with full-back Tyrone Green emerging as the main culprit.
As Harlequins forgot how to score, Exeter were rewarded for staying in the fight when the odds were stacked against them by crossing through replacement hooker Jack Innard in the 65th minute.
It looked to be enough for a gutsy win, but they cracked during a late assault as Smith’s pinpoint kick was collected by Andre Esterhuizen and the former South Africa centre slid over in a pool of water.
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The score was tied at 12-12, but rising England star Smith nailed the touchline conversion in a dramatic conclusion at Twickenham Stoop.
A trilling afternoon began when Exeter’s defence was shredded by a sparkling run from Joe Marchant and although he had the ball ripped away by Stuart Hogg, Luke Northmore was able to stab ahead and touch down.
Danny Care was at the heart when Quins probed for a second soon after as he sent Jack Kenningham through a gap only to spill a tricky return pass on approach to the whitewash a phase later.
Tighthead prop Will Collier was celebrating his 200th appearance for the champions with a vintage scrummaging display as Exeter struggled to establish a foothold in the game.
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The ball just eluded Marchant over the line as he hunted a cute Smith kick and the only downside to Quins’ dominant opening was their failure to register more points.
Exeter were fighting hard and around the half-hour mark they muscled their way into the home 22 and although an attacking scrum amounted to nothing, they continued to launch waves of attacks.
Their patience paid off in the 35th minute when Joe Simmonds flicked the ball up to Slade, deceiving the defence who were joining the ruck, and the England centre used his gas on a looping run to cross in the corner.
Exeter finished the first half on top, but their prospects of leaving the capital with a fifth successive away win were hit when Hepburn was sent off with Marler unhurt by his challenge.
It doesn't look pretty in real time, nor in slow-motion.
Exeter Chiefs prop Alec Hepburn is sent off for this reckless clear out on Joe Marler.#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/W3oG3nfNnm
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 8, 2022
A defensive scrum saw the under-manned Chiefs face tremendous pressure and they would have slipped behind had full-back Green not butchered his final pass as Quins broke from deep inside their own half.
And chances continued to go begging as Exeter defended furiously on their own line, Esterhuizen knocking over the whitewash and Green flinging a wild pass to an unmarked Marchant.
It became Harlequins’ turn to desperately protect their line by halting a maul just inches short of its intended destination, but they were unable to stop the Chiefs for a second time with Innard the scorer.
Quins engineered their late chance to win and Smith and Esterhuizen made no mistake, nailing the opportunity to snatch a late victory.
Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly 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.
11 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.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 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
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 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,
14 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 comments