Baxter hails Chiefs display

By Mark Stevens
1/5/2016

Rob Baxter hailed an outstanding performance by his Exeter Chiefs side after they put themselves back in pole position for a home semi-final in this season’s Aviva Premiership play-offs.

The Devon club leapfrogged visiting Wasps into second place after they swept aside their European Champions Cup conquerors 24-3 at Sandy Park.

In a dominant display from Baxter’s side, tries from Olly Woodburn (pictured), his fellow wing Jack Nowell and full-back Phil Dollman underpinned Exeter's emphatic victory.

Skipper and fly-half Gareth Steenson added all three conversions and kicked a penalty with the Chiefs guaranteed a Sandy Park semi-final later this month if they beat Harlequins next weekend, with their play-off opponents likely to be Wasps - home or away.

"From my perspective, it was important that we kept things in our hands," said Baxter. “Whether we end up with a home semi-final or an away semi-final, I’m not really focusing on that at the moment because I think we have shown this season that we can go away from home and play some good stuff.

"What I am really pleased with is that we put a bit of pressure on the lads this week, saying these are the type of games we have to turn up and perform in at this stage of the year if we genuinely want to look at ourselves as contenders and a team that can go on and win.

"Right from the start, our work-rate, our endeavour and discipline was fantastic. The scoreboard probably doesn't reflect the actual possession and territory dominance that we actually had. Obviously the defensive effort from the lads as well was top drawer.

"We looked like the team that was at home, fully fresh, really firing and ready to win a big game at home, and I thought Wasps looked like a team who had just come through a couple of really tough couple of weeks, and it was a tough ask to come down here and win another big game.”

Baxter continued: "I saw us do it at Gloucester a couple of weeks ago, when we were off enough for us to lose the game. I think that was probably a bit of the indication today because when we toughened up and were physical, fresh and strong, it was always going to be a tough afternoon for Wasps.

"When I looked at the two teams come in at half-time, I thought we looked like the team that was going to go and win it."

Although the Chiefs held only a slender 10-3 lead at the break, the home side produced a powerful offering after the break to sink Dai Young’s dangerous visitors.

Baxter added: "Wasps have got threats everywhere. They are one of these horrible teams to play against because you can play really well, and all of a sudden tries start coming in out of nowhere. Things can just happen.

"But we held our shape really well. We had energy and physicality in the contact. We looked like a fresh, revitalised team and like we were enjoying our rugby."

The Chiefs leader also hailed an immense display from blindside flanker Dave Ewers (pictured), who looks back to his best after an injury-disrupted season - and possibly on course for England's three-Test Australia tour next month.

"Dave is back to bang on form," said Baxter. "He was rampant today. His physicality was outstanding, and it was a reminder from him to Eddie Jones. I know he was playing bang-on at the start of the season, and it looks like he is bang-on again now. He has hit some form at a great time for us."