By Shipwrecked
October 7 2020
What do we need to do to be Exeter Chiefs in the Play Off Semi.
Front Five.
We have absolutely no problem dominating teams upfront and have done so on several occasions this season, what we need to do now is dominate for the full 80 minutes as often for the last quarter we have struggled to produce the same form for as the previous 60 minutes. Lets hope we have learnt that from the Sarries game.
Back Row
Absolutely critical that our back row turn in a storming performance. We need to win both the breakdown and the tackle. With Underhill and a resurgent Faletau we can compete with any team in the tackle so no problem there. Our problem might lie with with the breakdown consistency. In that respect we miss Francois Louw badly but Ellis and Baylis are not far behind.
Ball Carrying
Exeter are proven experts and are extremely good at battering away at defences with their ball carriers charging forward particularly when they are 10 yards from the try line.
We need to do exactly the same to them and put them on the defensive. Once again we tend to fade in the last quarter so I would hope that our selection would bring some fresh for carers to see the game through to the end.
Line Outs
We may have the best two teams in the Premiership at Line out technique and the subsequent driving maul. Luke Charteris has worked wonders in this respect. We know of Exeter’s expertise here but at least we have the same attacking weapon as our opponents.
Defence
We have seen our defence climb ever upwards since the breakdown with speed, ferocity and aggression being major strengths. If ever we need a repeat performance it will be at Sandy Park where we will face persistent waves of forward pressure. Given previous performances I feel confident that we can hold our own in this respect.
Discipline
Tight semi-final games are won and lost on yellow and even red cards in the Sarries game we gave away far too many penalties in the second half. We need to avoid those scrum penalties but the one area where the game could hinge for both teams crashing forward for glory is the high tackle.
Our tackling has been excellent and few penalties have been conceded from high tackles. However, one yellow card or a red card could easily settle the game we have to ensure that it's not us that gives away the dreaded card sanction.
Conversely it's not inconceivable that Exeter Chiefs might also fail in that respect in the current game where we can expect a close battle this could be a defining factor.
Half Backs
Several top pundits have described Ben Spencer's signing from Saracens that's the best piece of business in the premiership this year. It's very hard to dispute this and we now have a half back pairing that are strong at kicking both on from hand and off the tee. This has won us several games already however there is a concern that our Ben is having issues towards the end of the game with both his fitness and focus.
You have to wonder if Will Chudleigh might be brought on towards the end of the game given its against his old club though opinions will be divided on this.
Outside Backs
If ever there is an opportunity to shine for our talented back line it has to be in the semi-final, my feeling is that Cameron Redpath should play a big role in this game, much as I love Josh Matevesi I think that Redpath is the player to release the undoubted talent we have outside in Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and Ruaridh McConnochie.
If ever we want Ruaridh to be at his try poaching best it will be in this game.
We have no idea who will come out on top in this battle, it has been seen as a David and Goliath confrontation that's not really how I see it it is more of an a Ali v Foreman battle with both teams expecting to take a pounding on the ropes at times. However, we should always remember that the outcome of that particular match up went to the guy who spent a long time on the ropes.
Everyone who supports Bath is looking for a similar result. It only remains to say one thing. COYB!
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Quote:Mr Frivolous
Thanks shipwrecked you beat me to the punch on writing the preview! Good job! I'm grateful I can now creep back under my stone...
Quote:shipwreckedQuote:Mr Frivolous
Thanks shipwrecked you beat me to the punch on writing the preview! Good job! I'm grateful I can now creep back under my stone...
Cripes, didn't mean to nick your spot, apologies.
Quote:Mr Frivolous
Absolutely no apologies needed. Grateful you did this. A change always welcome. Hopefully you can do the final? I suspect tho the guru preview PG tips will have walked home by then...
Quote:fat lock
Really looking forward to it if Bath are on their A game. I think we can push Exeter very close.
Sadly I think our main chance of being in the final will depend on some Covid swabs - quite a spike in cases in Exeter at present.
Quote:charlieboa
Think i would bring in ellis/bayliss at 6 (despite williams going well), redpath at 12 definitely and coko on the wing possibly.
?
Quote:johnnyf
I think you also have to give full credit to Hooper and the Coaches in deciding to continue to train until the Sale debacle was fully resolved.
Only 2 more games to win and Bath are Champions!
Quote:Optimist
One thing about going away to Exeter is, should we win, nobody will be able to say we snuck into the Final by the back door.
Quote:johnnyf
I think you also have to give full credit to Hooper and the Coaches in deciding to continue to train until the Sale debacle was fully resolved.
Only 2 more games to win and Bath are Champions!
Quote:ballsoutQuote:johnnyf
I think you also have to give full credit to Hooper and the Coaches in deciding to continue to train until the Sale debacle was fully resolved.
Only 2 more games to win and Bath are Champions!
I mean, sure, but that was always going to be the plan. Any Prem head coach would have done the same. It's just common sense.
Quote:Danchinho
I don’t think people will be angry if lose. They’ll be angry if we play like it’s a training game or if we knock on or drop the ball after 3 passes.
Quote:woodpecker
still no mercer...
Quote:Clarkey3kQuote:woodpecker
still no mercer...
Does anyone with an Instagram account know what he is saying, if anything? These young fellas are usually all over social media, don't use them myself, apart from COML...
Quote:warrenball
Also seems to be Chiefs strongest team, so Baxter is not taking us lightly. Given good weather a game to really look forward to, whatever the result let us hope we play well and don't allow Chiefs any time at the breakdown, it is possibly their only weakness
Quote:Optimist
I don’t think the dire warnings about player injuries have come to pass across the GP. Is there a lesson for rugby union going forward? Play more, (contact) train less perhaps?
Quote:shipwrecked
Out of interest who actually selects the team? This season selection has been skilful in meeting the playing time guidelines and maintaining our strongest team.
Quote:shipwrecked
Out of interest who actually selects the team? This season selection has been skilful in meeting the playing time guidelines and maintaining our strongest team.
Quote:Optimist
From today's Guardian:
Lam's approach: Bristol will consider placing their players in a Covid-secure bubble for two weeks if they defeat Wasps in Saturday’s Premiership play-off semi-final
Hooper's approach: If Bath win at Exeter on Saturday, they will have a week off before the Premiership final but their director of rugby, Stuart Hooper, has no plans to create a bubble for his team.
“Our players are incredibly responsible guys,” said Hooper. “They are not kids and I would not try to trap them in a building so they cannot go out. They understand the risks and drive standards."
Bath’s captain, Charlie Ewels, said the players had devised a system to ensure no one took risks. “We talked about the costs of someone picking up the virus and spreading it. Our rule is would you be willing to stand up in front of the group after testing positive if you had picked it up in a supermarket? Yes. But what if it was a case of being on a night out with a bunch of mates? Would you want to explain that?”
Quote:woodpeckerQuote:Optimist
From today's Guardian:
Lam's approach: Bristol will consider placing their players in a Covid-secure bubble for two weeks if they defeat Wasps in Saturday’s Premiership play-off semi-final
Hooper's approach: If Bath win at Exeter on Saturday, they will have a week off before the Premiership final but their director of rugby, Stuart Hooper, has no plans to create a bubble for his team.
“Our players are incredibly responsible guys,” said Hooper. “They are not kids and I would not try to trap them in a building so they cannot go out. They understand the risks and drive standards."
Bath’s captain, Charlie Ewels, said the players had devised a system to ensure no one took risks. “We talked about the costs of someone picking up the virus and spreading it. Our rule is would you be willing to stand up in front of the group after testing positive if you had picked it up in a supermarket? Yes. But what if it was a case of being on a night out with a bunch of mates? Would you want to explain that?”
Id go for something in the middle - second week bubble
Quote:Optimist
I mean ... I know Exeter are going to win and all that, and I know why. But, I'd still pick the following combined XV - 9.5 to 5.5 in Bath's favour:
15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Ruaridh McConnochie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Henry Slade, 11. Anthony Watson, 10. Joe Simmonds, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn = LCD, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Jonny Gray, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 7. Sam Simmonds, 6. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau
Quote:dannyf2
If Barnes backs us we're doomed!
Quote:annie blackthorn
Well, who'd a thought it back at the beginning of the season, esp after the 5 or 6 previous ones.
Come on Bath Boys - get down there and show those Devonians how to play winning rugby Bath style.
P.S. Stuart Hooper is a Devonian by birth and upbringing btw.
Quote:Optimist
We actually have more established internationals in our starting XV than they do. Given the magnitude of the occasion - for Bath, mabye even more than for Exeter - I'd hope that SU, Taulupe, Ant and JJ in particular will be viewing this like a Test match, and will understand how to tip the big moments our way.
Quote:Bathovalballer
Hmm. Luke Pearce grew up in Exeter where his dad, Andrew, was a referee /or linseman for a number of seasons at the top level. We don't want any bias there do we? .
Quote:I would agree on the self belief point. It is at the moment the main thing holding us back. In some ways I don't think that will be so much of a factor tomorrow as nobody thinks we will win so the pressure is off. It may though become an issue if we are ahead in the second half. If we can win, then the belief it will give the team will make a huge difference in big games in the future.Never In Doubt
Well I really want to see a win but I just cannot. We are certainly much improved but I just don't think we have the self belief yet. However once the game starts, I am sure I will believe for a bit .....
Quote:Jehovas Sandals
Either way I’m expecting a good, tough game. If you beat us you’ll deserve it and I will congratulate you.
Quote:miller8
Instead of Redpath?
Quote:bardofavon
just when you might think it impossible for prem rugby to stuff up any more, along comes the news that Exeter-raised local Luke Pearce is to ref the chiefs v bath semi final! how can that possibly be?
Quote:ballsout
Head to head comparisons are pointless when a team works so well together as a cohesive unit.
Quote:gaz59Quote:ballsout
Head to head comparisons are pointless when a team works so well together as a cohesive unit.
I think head to head comparisons are valid but only so far and your main point bo is spot on. You look at Opti's joint team on head to heads and we would keep most of our team with probably 5 or 6 from chiefs
But collectively the chiefs XV on the pitch nearly always performs well above which comes back to the key question, why?
Is it because actually our assessments [and that of international teams] is wrong and the Exeter players are for really far better individually than we give credit for?
Is it superior s and c?
Is it in the team coaching so that style of play matches player skillset and/or the game better than others?
Is it higher levels of motivation and psychological coaching?
Or something else?
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
What a lovely thread and nice sporting comments from fellow rugby enthusiasts in the West Country.
Quote:X2 +B4thB4ck
Bath T shirt on - check
Bath away shirt on - check
Bath hoody on - check
Bath tea mug ready - check
BT Sport - ahh, umm......
Quote:EXDJQuote:bardofavon
just when you might think it impossible for prem rugby to stuff up any more, along comes the news that Exeter-raised local Luke Pearce is to ref the chiefs v bath semi final! how can that possibly be?
I hate to break it to you, but Stuart Hooper was born in Exeter (we shared a maternity ward in Heavitree hospital), grew up just a few miles up the road in Crediton and played age-grade rugby for Devon. I can’t believe the powers-that-be have let him stay in charge of Bath for such a key game.
Of course there’s a possibility that Hooper has a professional reputation to uphold and he won’t let the accident of his birth impact on his preparation for the game or his decision-making today, but best not leave it to chance eh?
Quote:ballsoutQuote:Bath Supporter Jack
What a lovely thread and nice sporting comments from fellow rugby enthusiasts in the West Country.
I might go on the Exeter board reciprocally tell them if they beat us they'll have deserved it and will earn our congratulations.
Quote:bardofavon
your post is totally irrelevant. are you saying that Pearce wouldn't allow conscious or unconscious bias just because he is a professional?
Quote:gaz59
Anyway I took the post by EXDJ as a light hearted dig on the earlier ones and not to be taken seriously and actually I thought it pretty amusing
Quote:Dorset Boy
Lots of holding men off the ball at the fringe of breakdowns by exeter going unnoticed.
Quote:Beergoggles
Surely that’s exactly the type of nasty no arms shot to the neck/head that the authorities say they want out of the game. If that was a Bath player getting away with a Yellow I’d think he very very very fortunate. Keep the faith Bath but Im afraid I can’t stand the pressure, off to walk the dog.
Quote:Old Bath Tub
Apologies for being negative but too many basic errors, sadly Exeter just too good for us.
Quote:Rawce
Well, there we go. Inevitable really.
Quote:Dorset Boy
I'm struggling to think of a singe Exeter mistake. They have played superbly.
We've thrown everything at them and they've absorbed it all and returned it with interest.
Quote:BathSalmon
Think we have to say, we done Exeter, but also, well done Bath. We gave a good account of ourself at the end of the season. Something to build upon for next season (3 weeks time?!). This was one step too far, two team at completely two end of the spectrum of their development.
Congrats Exeter, completely deserve your win.
Quote:Optimist
Swap 10s and we’d have been right in it.
Quote:Optimist
Swap 10s and we’d have been right in it.
Quote:fatheraliceQuote:Optimist
Swap 10s and we’d have been right in it.
That's an unbelievable take on the game!
The gulf between the intensity the Ex pack put on the game for 80 minutes v the 50 mins that Bath managed was so blindingly obvious, I'm amazed anyone can think just a change in the fly half would make the difference.
living up to your name I think, if you believe that just signing a new fly half will see Bath in the final next season!
Quote:fatheralice
I'm amazed anyone can think just a change in the fly half would make the difference.
Quote:Dorset Boy
Some days you just have to acknowledge how superb your opponents have been.
Bath playetred well, but that Exeter performance would have beaten every other side in Europe today.
Quote:You cant red card someone for what might have happened. Intent or recklessness are a yellow card, which he received. He didn't make contact with the head or if he did, it wasnt obvious, and that was lucky for him.OldMarovianQuote:fatheralice
I'm amazed anyone can think just a change in the fly half would make the difference.
Change of the referee to one who wouldn't bottle the call Hill might. Easily end someones career like that and there was intent as well as recklessness. I hope he gets cited. Doesn't deserve to play any more this season after that.
Quote:Sarries have been punished. Seems a bit harsh to say that dodgy financial practices on the part of the owners precludes fans from expressing a view on rugby matters! Time to get a sense of perspective...Hymenoptera
You cant red card someone for what might have happened. Intent or recklessness are a yellow card, which he received. He didn't make contact with the head or if he did, it wasnt obvious, and that was lucky for him.
You not liking it doesn't change the rules. As a Sarries supporter, do I need to explain the word "Rules" to you, they apply to many things both on and off the pitch...let me know.
Quote:Hymenoptera
[You cant red card someone for what might have happened. Intent or recklessness are a yellow card, which he received. He didn't make contact with the head or if he did, it wasnt obvious, and that was lucky for him.
You not liking it doesn't change the rules. As a Sarries supporter, do I need to explain the word "Rules" to you, they apply to many things both on and off the pitch...let me know.
Quote:gaz59
from there all of our team played their guts out but Exeter had saved their best to this and I wish them well for their next two. They have set a very impressive bar for english league rugby. I doff my cap to them but we are not that far short. The final score was harsh. Build from where we are, recruit a top quality 10 and with a bit more strength on the bench and we will be close to the top
Quote:OldMarovian
Lets start with the simple stuff, in rugby we have Laws not "Rules"
In Quins/Wasps game Luke Pearce red carded Elia Elia for exactly that, what might have happened, rather than what did happen. He said that had Robson not put his hands out he would have landed on his head.
Quote:OldMarovian
“well he leads with his shoulder and doesn’t make contact with anyone, but we have to judge that on the basis that someone’s head could have been there”
If that's your example then I think we can agree he most certainly made contact. We also know it was reckless and illegal as there was no attempt to wrap the arm. The only question is what colour card and that's determined by contact.
Isn't that exactly what Pearce is saying with Elia Elia and Robson? "he tip-tackled him and whilst he didn't land on his head he could have so I'm going to red card him"
That's inconsistent for me EXDJ. Pearce is determining contact based on what could have happened where it not for the impacted players actions. Same deal should apply for Hill.
It'll be interesting to see if they have any other angles.
Quote:OldMarovian
Chiefs are a horribly cynical team and you're doing brilliantly without your scrum giving you the platform. Shame that Redbath and Stuart didn't manage to finish the opportunities you created.
Would be good to see some more of Coka and McC to complement what we're seeing of Watson.
Hill very lucky to not be given red.
Quote:hasta
Why is Spencer line kicking?
Quote:Dorset Boy
I think Rhys tweaked his knee when he kicked our first penalty. If you watch it again he seems to limp immediately after.
Quote:Rawce
You could see all the sponsorship on Faletau’s back. How is that not on his neck? TMO clearly thought it was, hence suggesting multiple replays.
Quote:Jehovas Sandals
Chief fan here......firstly I’d like to apologise for any derogatory or snippy comments made by any of ours.
Secondly I thought you contributed immensely to a very entertaining game and yes of course I’m glad we won but I think it was down to us going the full 80 and with a ruthless attitude.
Score line may have flattered us a bit but we were immense defensively which in itself should give you great optimism for next season.
I thought Watson and Redpath were brilliant for you.
All the best for next season
Quote:BBandW
Ironically I thought we played rather well - it's just that Exeter are very, very good.
Quote:
Quote:9215Quote:
A lot of those stats, aside from the scores, are pretty even.
Quote:Bathovalballer
We are realistically 2/3 seasons away from matching Exeter, Saracens, Wasps and Bristol, but there are green shoots of hope.
.
Quote:Bath HammerQuote:Bathovalballer
We are realistically 2/3 seasons away from matching Exeter, Saracens, Wasps and Bristol, but there are green shoots of hope.
.
I don’t see how you can compare teams based on some form of seasonal increments & I think there is still a big gap between Exeter & Sarries and Bristol & Wasps, who if I remember rightly were languishing badly last season & have made very rapid progress. I think we can do the same if we can address the weaknesses in our back line . Exeter & Sarries (subject to a one year hiccup) are outstanding & it’s not at all certain that we will ever reach that standard, nor Wasps & Bristol. I still don’t understand how Exeter have done so amazingly well after promotion. They were unreal on Saturday. We also cannot discount other teams joining the party. Leicester won’t be absent for long.
Quote:Optimist
But .... values .... humility ....
Quote:OldMarovian
Oh dear. You'd think that after such a good season you'd have other stuff to talk about but I guess not?
Quote:OldMarovian
Oh dear. You'd think that after such a good season you'd have other stuff to talk about but I guess not?
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
Or does the fabric (clothe) need to be cut differently?
The game becomes amateur again, except for the Premiership, and even there is is made of thinner clothe!
Quote:warrenball
The Saracens 'attitude' goes right back to the Brendan Venter era, he took ' win at all costs' to a new level and he upset many rugby supporters. This seems to have continued over the years and ended up with the current scandal. Like most people who play sport I am competitive and try very hard to win, but without sportsmanship there can one no real satisfaction in winning and deep down I think that will be something the Saracen players will not escape.
Quote:Optimist
For years and years everyone who takes more than a passing interest in rugby wondered how Sarries were doing it. I’m sure Vunipola, Farrell, Daly et al were assured, and believed, that the way they were being remunerated was within the letter of the salary cap law. I’m equally sure they knew full well that it was well outside the spirit of the cap. To me that makes them complicit, albeit not responsible. They only had to look around the squad to be just as aware as the rest of the world that it didn’t add up.