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The 'very standard, boring message' from Baxter on Exeter vs Wasps
Rob Baxter has batted away speculation over the status of next Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership fixture where rejuvenated Exeter are scheduled to host the financially troubled Wasps at Sandy Park. Just two years ago the clubs were contesting the behind-closed-doors tournament final at Twickenham. Now there are concerns that this latest match could be in jeopardy after the Coventry-based club made a second filing to the courts last weekend to appoint administrators.
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That deadline is set to soon run out, with even BT Sport presenter Craig Doyle suggesting during last weekend’s broadcast coverage of the Premiership that the Chiefs game could be in doubt. Exeter have already been in this situation this season, preparing for a match with a cloud hanging over it.
It was last month when their Sunday visit to Sixways was only given the green light 48 hours in advance by Premiership Rugby. However, the result of that game soon had an asterisk attached as Worcester were suspended from seeing out the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign and were automatically relegated to the Championship.
Now there are fears about whether Wasps have the financial ability to get themselves through the 2022/23 season, but Baxter has insisted it is business as usual on the Exeter training ground ahead of the match that is still currently slated to go ahead on Saturday afternoon in Devon.
Asked at his midweek Exeter media briefing for his thoughts on the speculation the game might fall by the wayside, Baxter said: “It is a very standard, boring message you will hear from me at any stage in these scenarios, we will just prepare as if the game is on. That is all we can do.
“The thing that is making everyone wonder what is happening is the deadline around that second ten-day extension kind of drops over that Friday, Saturday period doesn’t it? Everyone is lurking around going, what does that mean? Does that mean the administration deadline passes, the clock ticks to zero so to speak, does that mean that’s it and you go into administration and games don’t happen?
“That is what is creating concern around the game. For us, we can’t approach it like that. We have just got to go what is the reality, Wasps are down there getting ready to come and play us. They are going to be getting on a bus and travelling on Friday. They are going to be turning up to play a game of rugby and that is what we have got to do.
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“That is the long and the short of it around the rugby prep. As to what will be will be around the administration process, that is for other people than me to worry about at this stage.”
Asked if given his position as director of rugby if he was in any direct contact with Wasps regarding the match, Baxter added: “I’ll be honest with you. If that is going on with Premiership Rugby that would be Tony (Rowe, the Exeter owner) dealing with it. It wouldn’t be something that I am actively involved in. If it is raised I wouldn’t like to say because it would be me talking a little bit out of ignorance.”
It was then put to Baxter that the ten-day deadline that Wasps have covered working days, according to the Coventry club’s beat newspaper reporter, Baxter said: “That kind of removes a fair bit of the concerns around the game being on or off. It is going to be on and we are going to get on with it and whatever decisions getting made will happen next week.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
5 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.
5 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