Hunter hails Exeter attitude

 

By Mark Stevens
21/5/17

Exeter Chiefs forwards coach Rob Hunter praised his side's never-say-die attitude after they beat Saracens 18-16 in an absorbing Aviva Premiership semi-final at Sandy Park.

Trailing heading into the final minute, a late try from replacement Sam Simmonds saw the Chiefs book their place in next weekend's final against Wasps at Twickenham.

After their famous victory, Hunter applauded his side's spirit and attitude as they made it back-to-back finals in the Premiership.

"We never thought it was gone," he said. "It never is with our lads. They can always surprise us so we never thought it was gone.

"We thought it would be tough, but we got the scrum, and then Sladey's kick was brilliant to bring us into driving range and that was the important thing."

With little to choose between the two teams at the break, Gareth Steenson had cancelled out two penalties from opposite number Owen Farrell, it was the Chiefs who were first to show in the second half as England international squeezed over in the right corner for the game’s opening try, which Steenson converted from the right touchline.

Saracens, however, are not back-to-back European champions for no reason and the Londoners - have weathered a fierce Exeter attacking storm - hauled themselves back in front as first Chris Wyles stole over, followed by fellow winger Mike Ellery with just minutes remaining.

The Chiefs, though, were far from finished and in one last throw of the dice, they produced the perfect finale as Simmonds was driven over from a well-drilled line-out move just five metres out.

Post-match, Hunter admitted the contest offered a rollercoaster of emotions, but warned that the Chiefs would not get carried away, particularly as they now had to finish the job against Wasps, who booked their place at HQ with victory over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.

Hunter added: "When I get the chance to watch the game again it will be up there – it is certainly one of the biggest games I’ve ever been involved in.

"In some respects it is probably bigger than last year's final. Last year was a grand day out for us but this year we are a different side. It means nothing if we go down there next week and don’t perform.

“The first thing to get talked about in the changing room was next weekend. We have just had an amazing win over Saracens, who were Premiership champions and who are the current European champions, and we have got ourselves into the final, but our biggest challenge now is that we haven’twon anything yet, other than a semi-final.

“We have just given ourselves the chance to go to Twickenham next week and have a crack at the final. We will review and prepare the same way we always do, and we will go and try and win it.”

Hunter was also full of praise for Mark McCall’s men for turning in such a performance just a week after their European Champions Cup success over ASM Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield.

“How Saracens won a European Cup and then backed it up with a performance like that is just so impressive,” said Hunter. “They are a class outfit and it is incredible for them to be able to come out and perform and put that kind of energy into the game.”