Stuart Hogg mercilessly roasted on first day of training at Sandy Park
Stuart Hogg’s new Exeter Chiefs teammates didn’t take long to get into the Scotsman on his first day at Sandy Park.
Rob Baxter will thrust the Scottish international straight into the fray for his new club at The Rec, less than two weeks after he arrived in Devon from his exertions with the national side at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
“It’s been a hectic week, lots of learning on the job. I know I’m being chucked in at the deep end, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. What I’ve got to make sure of is that I’m up to speed with things as best I can, that I know my stuff, and that I hit the ground running as best I can.”
Already Hogg’s new team-mates have been busy helping the former Glasgow Warriors star to get used to the inner workings of the Chiefs, having missed the pre-season build-up whilst on international duty.
However, that also has not stopped them giving the newcomer a somewhat amusing welcome on his arrival in the Westcountry. Hogg was greeted on his first day at Sandy Park with his changing perch decorated with an array of well-placed Japanese flags following Scotland’s exit out of the World Cup to the host nation.
“I wouldn’t have expected anything else,” he joked. “I’ve been around long enough to see boys come and go from different clubs, so it’s good to be here and the boys have welcomed me with open arms.”
.@bensmithrugby explains why the Exeter Chiefs and Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg will be a match made in rugby heaven. https://t.co/nJHNkmqMVb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 15, 2018
But as Hogg rightly points out, his main focus is on producing for the Chiefs, starting with tomorrow night’s game.
Having watched on from the sidelines as last season’s beaten Premiership finalists kicked off their season with a hard-fought win over Harlequins, the 27-year-old is one of five changes Baxter has made to his starting XV for this Round Two encounter.
Hogg will start at full-back for the Chiefs, who have also added Sam Hill and Alex Cuthbert to a new-look back division, while up front Ben Moon and Dave Ewers are also handed first starts of the season. On the bench, there is a welcome return for scrum-half Stuart Townsend, who has been out of action since last December with a knee injury.
Stuart Hogg has earned his move to a brilliant club with a seriously big culture. The challenge for those at Scotstoun is to take what he helped build and grow it again.
Some thoughts for @RugbyPass ?https://t.co/9rzx1SIJxP
— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) November 13, 2018
For Hogg, though, the chance to showcase his proven talents in the Premiership is something he has craved since signing on the dotted line with the Chiefs.
“I’m a bit of a student of the game, I tend to watch a lot of rugby,” he said. “I know what the Premiership is all about, but I also know experiencing it for myself will be totally different. Just in training this week, you can see the intensity and the speed is right up there.
“Bath, this week, will be a tough game. They are at home for the first time and they’ll be coming for us, especially after losing last week. What we have to do is make sure we concentrate on ourselves, get the details spot on, and look to come away with a good win.”
Stuart Hogg was very honest as he reflected on a difficult day for Scotland.https://t.co/xGi48ywwug
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 22, 2019
Although content with victory in their seasonal opener against Harlequins a week ago, Hogg admits he was impressed by the way in which the Chiefs coaches and players questioned certain aspects of their play in the aftermath.
“It was a good start – and it was good for me and the family to experience Sandy Park for the first time – it’s an incredible place,” continued the two-time British & Irish Lion. “As I said, though, it’s exciting times and I’m here to help out and hopefully win trophies with the club.
“Being in the changing rooms afterwards and to hear what the boys had to say on that victory, the boys were pretty disappointed with certain aspects of the game which, for me, is an exciting thing that we can get even better. Already the boys have been working hard these last couple of days to put things right, so we’re looking forward to hitting the ground running on Friday night.”
– Exeter Chiefs
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 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,
11 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.
11 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.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 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.
11 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.
3 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.
3 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
11 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?
44 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.
11 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
11 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.
11 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
11 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.
11 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 comments