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Most challenging season since 2010/2011?


Chiefs

By Otter Supper
June 23 2018

Otter Supper poses and interesting question

Most challenging season since 2010/11? 

Exeter Chiefs' Director of Rugby Rob Baxter during the Aviva Premiership Semi Final at Sandy Park, E


I saw this post by Scaramouche on the Quins forum in a thread regarding the England team selection for the 3rd test against SA. 

“Exeter have 6 out of 23 so maybe their days of flying under the international radar in the GP are over” 

Add to that Jack Nowell and if Eddie Jones is still in the process of building his squad for the World Cup we could be losing the majority of them to AI's and 6 Nations. 

There are also a number of the squad who would be involved with other countries in the AI's and certainly Tom Francis and Campo in the 6 N's. 

Is this good or bad for the Chiefs? 

On the plus side I would like to think that we could attract players with international aspirations and it would also mean that a good number of the fringe players get a good amount of game time and so are prepared to stay rather than take a more lucrative deal elsewhere. 

On the negative side, do we have the strength in depth to cope with those losses? We have been Premiership finalists in the last 3 years, finishing in the top 2 each time. Would we be able to maintain this as well as progressing further in Europe, which most would agree is the next step. 

Good or bad? Opinions please.

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Most challenging season since 2010/2011?
Discussion started by thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged), 23/06/2018 11:49
thechiefstribe.com
thechiefstribe.com
23/06/2018 11:49
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fatheralice
fatheralice
23/06/2018 19:16
Can't see too many of those players featuring heavily in EJs plans personally.

His lack of use of the bench in today's test was a pretty big 2 fingers up to Exeter imo.

DoubleChampions
DoubleChampions
23/06/2018 19:21
Quote:
fatheralice
Can't see too many of those players featuring heavily in EJs plans personally.
His lack of use of the bench in today's test was a pretty big 2 fingers up to Exeter imo.

Or alternatively - team are in control so why change?

Garnett
Garnett
23/06/2018 22:25
I know it is not popular to comment on this subject but I personally feel that we have got the total squad performance game and taken it as far as it can go. It is a huge tribute to Rob that we have done so well. Our inability to progress in Europe and a final performance where we had no answer to Saracens was telling.Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrel were the game changers. We need to work out how to recruit and integrate some world class players without blowing the team ethos and still delivering a balanced budget. It may need this to allow us to build a bigger regular fan base for the new stand. Should we operate at a loss to achieve the expansion? Possibly in the short term but only Rob knows.

Gsrnett

clalan
clalan
23/06/2018 23:04
We weren't that far off in Europe, played poorly in the home Leinster game, but should have won away some shocking officiating there and at Glasgow, but not to the same extent.
I also believe we suffered a bit from headlight syndrome at Twickers with so many new players of a young age.
Sarries deserved the win, but we lost our rugby heads a bit.

England will get nowhere, won a dead rubber today and playing the old guard has taught us nothing. If Ireland or Wales had toured in our place SA would not have won a match.
This Australian coach will not pick our or any young contenders.

Zyder head
Zyder head
24/06/2018 06:40
I think Eddie Jones is becoming more and more desperate and has taken England as far as he can.
England got the result yesterday which was important to keep people off his back for a while and restore a little confidence to the players but what did we really learn for the future?
I don't often agree with Warren Gatland but when he said Wales and England are poles apart heading towards next year's World Cup he was spot on imo.
The other home nations have had very successful or very useful tours in terms of results,giving younger players experience and confidence building and England have had the opposite.
England may have had a sterner test in terms of opponents than some but even so those first two games were a real eye opener and it will take some turnaround to give me any confidence moving forward to next year.

clalan
clalan
24/06/2018 07:22
Mr Jones method of success lasts about three years then he usually moves on, this is his own submission. But even he could probably not turn down the wad of cash thrown at him by the RFU to stay on past his success date.

Black Hawk
Black Hawk
24/06/2018 11:18
I am not a fan of Eddie Jones, and never have been.

Th sooner he goes the better IMO.

Master Chief
Master Chief
25/06/2018 07:20
Quote:
Garnett
I know it is not popular to comment on this subject but I personally feel that we have got the total squad performance game and taken it as far as it can go. It is a huge tribute to Rob that we have done so well. Our inability to progress in Europe and a final performance where we had no answer to Saracens was telling.Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrel were the game changers. We need to work out how to recruit and integrate some world class players without blowing the team ethos and still delivering a balanced budget. It may need this to allow us to build a bigger regular fan base for the new stand. Should we operate at a loss to achieve the expansion? Possibly in the short term but only Rob knows.
Gsrnett

I totally agree. We have a great squad and across the season we will won most games to finish in the top two. But when it came to it in the big game against the big team we came up short. Simply put, our pack was bullied a little by a pack which contained the likes of the two Vunipolas and Itoje. I’m a little worried that we have only recruited one player for next season and none to the pack.. especially given we haven’t really replaced the ball carrying of Waldrom if a year ago.

Poking With Sticks
Poking With Sticks
25/06/2018 10:51
The core of the team is still relatively young. I wouldn't object to a few world class imports but a lot of our players haven't hit their peak yet.

We've probably taken the "keep-ball" game plan as far as it will go. The challenge now is to add plan B and I think we have the squad to do it.

Wampum
Sandy Parker
26/06/2018 10:43
England? Cant be bothered at the mo until he shows he can pick the right side and little chance of that.

Chiefs? Really happy with things. Looking forward to Toby Salmon and Matt Kvesic getting established in the pack and challenging the high spenders again.

Welsh Chief
Welsh Chief
26/06/2018 16:47
Quote:
Poking With Sticks
The core of the team is still relatively young. I wouldn't object to a few world class imports but a lot of our players haven't hit their peak yet.
We've probably taken the "keep-ball" game plan as far as it will go. The challenge now is to add plan B and I think we have the squad to do it.

I agree, I don't think the Chiefs can or should change their recruitment policy. Even if (big if) more money could be found there is no guarantee that parachuting in a few world class players will result in success.

If a couple of quality signings can be added to an already impressive squad, combined with greater experience The Chiefs should be able to keep up with the biggest clubs in Europe.

I think the final showed that we need to have more attacking options in the backs when our carries don't get over the gain line (why not try a kick now and again) but that's a coaching/ selection tweak highlighted against a proven side who played well on the day and had a couple of lucky bounces rather than a big fundamental problem with the current squad.

Master Chief
Master Chief
26/06/2018 17:57
I think that’s all we need, just one or maybe two quality signings.. ideally in the pack

SimonH38
SimonH38
27/06/2018 10:03
I agree its a big season if we are to continue development but the steps are probably smaller now?

After successive Prem finals, its Europe where we will have to make the largest steps, and we need the additional composure to consistently beat the top 4.

Leinster would have beaten anyone (and a few international sides!) and let's not forget they soundly beat Sarries at the Aviva too.

Recruitment is best based on developing local players, and we have a proven conveyor belt there, augmented with experienced players who can fully integrate into the squad.

We should not enter into marquee signings. Overall they don't work. I don't see why we have signed Cuthbert at all when I think we really need a quality 15. I know we narrowly missed out on Hanley from Sale who has moved to Ire.

Tactically I think we need to develop our game where we are effective but repetitive and predictable and teams are working us out now...

I think Ben Ryan would be an excellent addition to the coaching staff to being something new. Hunter and Hepher have been good but we need to have some new thinking too?

Scuff
Scuff
27/06/2018 13:40
All depends on the quality coming through from the academy. Losing players to internationals is a chance for others to get game time. We've seen some exceptional talents make their way through recently. If that continues, then losing players to internationals is no bad thing, and may even be an opportunity.

MESSAGES->author
Tribester
28/06/2018 13:18
I'm happy with our results, our squad, our coaching staff and directors.
We've had great results, you can't win it all every season, especially when you're comparing yourself with teams that run millions in debt every year, or are subsidised by home Unions with limited club games for the top players. I don't want Exe to follow either of these examples.

Highbury Saracen
Highbury Saracen
08/07/2018 20:28
This wont be popular & I apologise now!
I really dont think there were too many lucky breaks in final & you are kidding yourself if you think that!
Europe is a whole different ball game & anyone will struggle playing Leinster with so many players out....get them away from Dublin & you have a chance
Teams have to develop but invariably personnel also need to change to achieve the european dream
I think everybody respects Rob Baxter & will watch with interest how you continue to develop this season
Always enjoy the trip to Sandy Park regardless of the result!

Zyder head
Zyder head
08/07/2018 21:56
We were clearly second best in the final but I wouldn't judge us on that one game alone.
We had a ridiculously tough draw (again...) in Europe last season but gave Leinster 2 hard games despite not being at our best ,especially the home game so I think we can expect more this season.
Looking forward to seeing how we evolve this season and who competes for the full back roll.

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