'We must push forward' - Hunter
By Mark Stevens
23/9/17
As good as last season’s title-winning campaign was for the Exeter Chiefs, forwards coach Rob Hunter insists it’s imperative the Devon club look to push forward on all fronts again this season.
May’s Twickenham triumph over Wasps was yet another glorious chapter in the rise of the Chiefs, who having only joined English rugby’s top tier in 2010, have quietly gone about their business in establishing themselves a growing force within the modern-day game.
Under the stewardship of Director of Rugby Rob Baxter, plus his trusty lieutenants Ali Hepher, Ricky Pellow and Hunter, the quartet of coaches are the brains trust in helping to steer the Chiefs onwards and upwards.
The input of the four men, together with a group of players willing to give everything to the cause, has certainly reaped rich rewards, culminating in the club’s maiden Premiership crown at the end of last season.
The Chiefs, however, are not one for wallowing too long in their own limelight, preferring instead to reset the goals and challenge themselves to go that little bit further.
Learning the lessons of previous campaigns, where perhaps they didn’t quite draw breath having reached a first Premiership final - only to lose out to Saracens - this current season has seen a more refined focus from Baxter and his players.
Sure, a last-gasp, opening day defeat at Gloucester was hardly the start the defending champions would have craved, but the Chiefs management saw enough that night to give them plenty to work with moving forward. Subsequent five-point hauls against London Irish and Worcester Warriors got Exeter firmly back on track, ensuring they headed into this weekend’s Round Four fixtures in pole position.
Tomorrow, though, the Chiefs will undergo arguably their toughest assignment of the season so far, welcoming Wasps to Sandy Park (3pm) in the first encounter between the two clubs since they pushed one another to the wire at HQ.
“We’re looking forward to it,” said Hunter. “We’ve had a good start in terms of how we are playing and the intensity we’ve brought to games, so we’re in a good place. Obviously this weekend it will be nice to have a rematch against a top team, as they will give us a real good measure to see where we are at.
“As I said, we’e pleased with how a lot of things have gone so far. Obviously it was disappointing to drop points up at Gloucester, but we came away from that game still in a good place. Looking at the stats afterwards, it kind of backed up what our own gut feelings we’re telling us. We put in a big shift up there in what was a very tough away game on the opening day.
“Since then, we’ve continued to work and play very much in the same vein and we’ve taken the good work we’ve done in training and put it out on the pitch. Hopefully, we can continue in the same manner this weekend.
“We can see both collectively and individually that the performances are going well. Right now there is good competition across the squad and that is driving standards up in training, which is always nice. Also, one or two guys are having stand-out starts to the season, the new boys are finding their feet nicely, so we’re in a good place.”
Like the Chiefs, Wasps have so far collected two wins and a loss from their opening three games, and Hunter knows Dai Young’s side will pose a considerable threat come kick-off tomorrow.
“We’re coming up against a side who are happy to have the ball and who have lots of pace and creativity within their ranks,” warned Hunter. “They have some devastating attackers who can hurt you out of nowhere, while some of their line breaks this season have come from well choreographed, well manufactured moves, so they have lots of threats across the park that we have to be wary of.”
Add into the mix that the visitors will be keen to enact a spot of revenge following their 23-20 reverse in May’s final, Hunter is right to be wary of the Midlanders.
“I”m not sure how much the revenge thing will come into their thinking,” he added. “What we do know, however, is that they are a very good rugby side. You can see that they have put a lot of focus on their tight play this season and that Dai is trying to make their scrum and their driving maul a real weapon for them. We obviously have to look to combat that, but at the same time they have got that glitter and stardust in behind that you also have to manage.”
On home soil, though, the Chiefs will certainly fancy their chances, particularly as you have to go back to last October to record a last league defeat at Sandy Park.
Certainly, Baxter’s side are aware they have become a prized scalp for all of their rivals this season following their title success, but Hunter says it’s key the club look forward, not back, when it comes to the current season.
“We have to move on,” said Hunter. “The reality is whether we win it or not this season, we’re always going to be the champions of last season. That can’t be taken away from us, so really there is no point worrying about it. It will always be there for us. The next goal for us is to build the next championship winning team.”