Hepher wants Chiefs to hit new levels
By Mike Smith
18/10/19
Exeter Chiefs Head Coach Ali Hepher claims it's time for his side to 'go to new levels', having already secured a home semi-final in the first cup competition of the season
The Chiefs bagged themselves a last four encounter with Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup after they notched up their third win in four games with last weekend's comprehensive 42-19 win against visiting Bristol Bears.
First-half tries from Jonny Hill, Jack Maunder, Sam Simmonds and Harry Williams put the Devonians on course for back-to-back victories, before Dave Dennis and Marcus Street got in on the scoring act to help put the contest to bed in the second-half with a commanding performance back in front of the Sandy Park faithful.
"We're pleased with what we got out of it," said Hepher. "To be in that first competition semi-final is a great start to the season, but equally the priority of pre-season is all about this weekend. We will know how successful we've been in pre-season when we get into the run of fixtures. We're really excited for the start of the Premiership now and we're ready to attack it. We're a confident bunch, the guys have performed well for a few years now, but we can't take that for granted, it's important that we tap into the right motivations and make sure that we put a performance on the field this weekend. It's not about what happened last week, or the week before, it's about what's put in front of you this weekend."
The Chiefs head into Saturday's Gallagher Premiership opener against Harlequins brimming with confidence, but Hepher knows that the squad will need to take it to another level to kick-off the season as strongly as they did last year.
"It's going to go to a new level this week that's for sure," he added. "The competitive nature of the Premiership demands it, we need to make sure that it's not a shock, that we're prepared for that, and we make sure that we can initiate that intensity that we're going to need coming into the Premiership."
The last time the two sides met at Sandy Park back in April, a close encounter led to the Chiefs narrowly winning 17-15. However, Harlequins would have been kicking themselves for not managing to take advantage of some strong spells of possession to put their Devon hosts under real pressure.
"They were probably really disappointed that they didn't win that game," continued Hepher. "We weren't at our best that day either, so we've got a point to prove after that fixture. We've just to get this performance off to a good start, the result will take care of itself if we get our fundamentals right. Winning the opening game, especially here at Sandy Park, is always a priority going into any season.
"We want our home form to be strong and we've got to provide that and make sure that the guys put something out there for the fans in the stands to get behind, which I'm sure they will. Whenever we do turn up, emotionally and in the right state of mind, the crowd comes with us and there's no better place to play rugby."