Baxter's praise for Hayes

 

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says the decision to change the club’s captain ahead of the new 2013/14 campaign was “very tough”, but he was quick to pay tribute to the contribution put in by Tom Hayes.

Baxter confirmed last week that Australian international Dean Mumm would be taking on the captaincy role following detailed discussions with Hayes.

Irishman Hayes not only skippered the Chiefs during their Championship winning season in 2010, but he has also been the on-field leader of the Devon club for all three of the club’s Premiership seasons to date.

Explaining the decision, Baxter said: “It was a very tough decision. There are a few reasons for it, obviously Tom has done a fantastic job in the time he has been captain, but we’re still a little bit unsure of his injury situation.

“He’s just had a relatively major back operation at the end of last season and even though his rehab has gone well – and he’s pretty much back in training full on – there are still some issues of when we’re going to get him back to 100 per cent and that’s had an effect on our decision because we’re getting close to the start of the season now and it’s important we get our leadership situation sorted

“Since arriving Dean has shown some fantastic qualities and he’s an experienced captain, so I think now the time is right for making the change.”

Baxter added: “There are no negatives against Tom, he’s done a fantastic job for us and I spoke to him at a length about it, but I think we’re all comfortable with that situation and now it’s a great opportunity for Dean. He can now step in step in and become an Exeter Chiefs captain in the Premiership.”

As Mumm (pictured) himself pointed out following the announcement, the Chiefs have a wealth of experience within their squad and Baxter is keen to utilise every last ounce of that over the forthcoming season.

“It’s one part of the leadership of the side,” he continued. “We have a pretty big leadership group on a week by week basis, all of whom offer a lot of detailed input into our plans for that week.

“Often we have a meeting early in the week with the leadership group and it sometimes can be seven or eight players strong. It’s not just the captain we involve, guys like James Scaysbrook, Haydn Thomas and Gareth Steenson, they are all in there when we talk about how we want to play the game.

“It is a relatively big group and I think we’ll probably include a younger player in our leader group because we do have a large number of very good players and I think involving them in our leadership discussions will be very important.”

And whilst Hayes may not have the official title of club captain to his name this term, Baxter still expects plenty from his experienced talisman.

“Yes, it’s a great reward for Dean, but at the same time I think it’s very important everyone appreciates what a great job Tom has done,” added Baxter. “I’ve no doubt he will be a key part of the leadership group here at the club as we look to move on.”

The Chiefs kick-off their pre-season programme this Saturday when they travel to Wales to face the Scarlets at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday (3pm). Following that fixture, Baxter’s troops will then engage in successive home friendlies against Bristol (Aug 24, 3pm) and Glasgow Warriors (Aug 31, 3pm) before their Premiership campaign gets underway at Northampton Saints on (Sept 7, 3pm).