The Exeter Chiefs recruitment of Stuart Hogg is a brilliant power play
The signing of Scotland’s fullback Stuart Hogg by the Exeter Chiefs on a two-year deal brings a sense of excitement and anticipation as the Chiefs look to re-tool in order to regain ascendancy in the Gallagher Premiership.
The league leaders are still at the height of their game this season with six from six in the Premiership, but with one title out of three straight final appearances and early European exits, the Chiefs are still intent on maximizing this period of success.
Bringing in the star fullback doubles down on Rob Baxter’s possession-based high-tempo attacking strategy, having another unique talent as an interchangeable part to install in his system. The astute addition of Argentinian winger Santiago Cordero has already turned out to be a perfect fit – adding Hogg to the mix might just be better.
Perhaps the success of Cordero’s transition has increased the willingness of the Chiefs to do more than slightly dip their toes in the recruitment market, the splash signing of a global superstar like Hogg is the highest profile signing they have made yet. Indeed, Rob Baxter called the signing a ‘statement’.
If the 26-year-old can become fully fit and healthy at Sandy Park, he will surely slot into the starting number 15 jersey in a back three that is starting to get crowded. Welsh winger Alex Cuthbert arrived on a three-year deal in March, unheralded power wing Olly Woodburn is currently on the mend from a broken jaw, England utility back Jack Nowell is a frontline starter, and the new toy Cordero is only on a one-year commitment.
If they can retain all of them, the Chiefs strike power out wide will be unrivaled in the Premiership. Particularly, a back three of Hogg, Cordero, and Nowell, will be an uncontainable unit of razor-sharp shifters, capable of unseen footwork that will cause headaches left, right and centre.
The style of Exeter’s play is the most enticing part of this move. One of the most under-rated parts of any contract decision for a player is weighing up how the new team will actually improve their game.
Often big money moves result in fat wallets but if the move is to a disjointed organisation with poor coaching and substandard game strategy, it will generally lead to unhappiness for those with natural competitive instincts. Stuart Hogg needn’t have any such concerns at this point.
Exeter’s mauling game and tight play inside the 22 is traditional, but outside that zone is where the fun and games start. The Chiefs are a high-tempo backs-driven team, using width and utility backs to attack the edges frequently. Wingers are no longer just ‘wingers’ they are extra fullbacks and midfielders available to pop up everywhere.
Against Castres in their last Champions Cup pool match, Cordero himself notched 20 carries, while Nowell had 14. Centre Henry Slade managed 15, fullback Phil Dollman had 11. There is no shortage of touches, there will be plenty to go around and Hogg will get his.
This signing is a power play by Exeter, a sign that they are willing to continually evolve and not let this era slip away without doing everything possible to win more silverware. As Baxter put it, they want to reach ‘that next level’ – bringing in Hogg could do just that.
More reaction:
Why Hogg had to leave Scotland
In other news:
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