EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
By The Saracens
December 29 2022
Santa has not been particularly kind to Saracens this year, what with that abject performance against Irish, Woolfie’s nasty looking concussion, Ben Earl’s (first) Red Card and the sad injury updates on Theo (out for the season) and Callum (out for 3-4 months). Hopefully he’s left something a bit more promising in the Christmas stocking for this weekend. To be honest, that defeat was coming. Sarries have played so many “get-out-of-jail-Free” cards this season we’ve kind-of come to expect they will conjure a win up from almost anywhere regardless. One day it wasn’t going to be and that day came last Friday. Still the loss is at least a monkey off our backs and hopefully the team will be inspired to new heights come Saturday.
New Year’s Eve sees the arrival of Exeter Chiefs to StoneX in the first of this season’s “reverse” fixtures. Sarries won down at Sandy Park 22-20 in one of many very tight games this season so Exeter will be out for revenge. Chiefs are currently in 6th place on 25 with 5 wins and 5 defeats so far this season. Exeter pipped Bath on Christmas Eve 20-15 but lost to Falcons 24-21 the round before. They have won their last 5 fixtures (in all competitions) but lost their last 3 away. Of potentially greater interest, they withstood an Irish comeback from 19-3 down to win 22-17. By all accounts, Exeter is not the happiest of places with Luke Cowan-Dickie & Sam Simmons both off to Montpelier at the end of the season. Exeter also have a longish injury list: Kirsten, Vermeulen, Capstick, Maunder J, Townsend, Devoto, Hendrickson, Keast, Moon, Street, Harris and Skinner all likely to be absent. They still have a very strong squad with the likes of Jack Nowell (not that he’s usually let loose on our plastic pitch), Henry Slade and the Simmonds boys plus Stuart Hogg (who started on the bench last week). Sarries can welcome back Loz (after last week’s enforced rest) but will almost certainly lose Earl along with Alex Clarey to the naughty step. Let’s hope Maro is back to fitness (as we missed him even more last week without Hunter-Hill for much of the game or Theo).
Sarries will need to field a strong team and I assume Jamie George will return, hopefully along with Maro so we may see something like: M Vunipola, George, Riccioni, Itoje, Tizard, Isiekwe, Christie, B Vunipola, Van Zyl, Farrell, Malins, Tompkins, Lozowski, Maitland, Daly.
Sarries need to win this to make up for the sins of last week and to get back on the right road again. It won’t be easy though and the team will need to show a lot of character. It looks like it could be a wet one which just adds to the lottery of it all. Come on boys, you can do this!
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys assisted by Dan Jones and Phil Watters. TMO is Rowan Kitt (for I believe the 2nd week in a row).
EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: TheSaracens.com (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2022 12:04
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:12:16:59:34 by Darraghgirl.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:12:16:59:34 by Darraghgirl.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2022 12:58
Excellent summary.
Chiefs are not where I thought they would be at the beginning of the season and whilst they've had injuries and International absentees they've not been worse than any other teams (edit) seems they might be as it sounds like there's illness in the camp. They feel a lot like a team in transition with some excellent options coming through for the coming seasons for sure.
They really should have lost against Bath and a bit like our last game suffered because quite a chunk of the team didn't really seem to show up. I don't expect that to be an issue for this fixture as it seems to be the one in the calendar that Chiefs can always motivate themselves for.
A loss would put a serious crimp in the evenings festivities and with the team having already done that to Christmas I hope they can pull out a W this time. Paper suggesting Maro and George both back which would be a huge plus. Its brutal but if Neither George or Woolstencroft are available would we consider Dan rather than Pifeleti to start? Simply can't afford such inaccurate throwing for the majority of the game.
Will travel in hope but sit in trepidation!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:15:40:30 by OldMarovian.
Chiefs are not where I thought they would be at the beginning of the season and whilst they've had injuries and International absentees they've not been worse than any other teams (edit) seems they might be as it sounds like there's illness in the camp. They feel a lot like a team in transition with some excellent options coming through for the coming seasons for sure.
They really should have lost against Bath and a bit like our last game suffered because quite a chunk of the team didn't really seem to show up. I don't expect that to be an issue for this fixture as it seems to be the one in the calendar that Chiefs can always motivate themselves for.
A loss would put a serious crimp in the evenings festivities and with the team having already done that to Christmas I hope they can pull out a W this time. Paper suggesting Maro and George both back which would be a huge plus. Its brutal but if Neither George or Woolstencroft are available would we consider Dan rather than Pifeleti to start? Simply can't afford such inaccurate throwing for the majority of the game.
Will travel in hope but sit in trepidation!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:15:40:30 by OldMarovian.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: psblefrere (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 09:00
At least it looks like we’ll have a decent crowd tomorrow, the attendance numbers have been disappointing this season, but understandable due to the ongoing financial difficulties.
Currently 121 tickets remaining, hopefully we’ll shift a few more.
Currently 121 tickets remaining, hopefully we’ll shift a few more.
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Posted by: sodslaw (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:01
Saracens Men team to play Exeter Chiefs:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Andy Christie
7 Jackson Wray
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Max Malins
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Eduardo Bello
19 Hugh Tizard
20 Ben Earl
21 Aled Davies
22 Alex Lozowski
23 Alex Lewington
l
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:12:01:38 by sodslaw.
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Andy Christie
7 Jackson Wray
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Max Malins
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Eduardo Bello
19 Hugh Tizard
20 Ben Earl
21 Aled Davies
22 Alex Lozowski
23 Alex Lewington
l
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:12:01:38 by sodslaw.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: Sarriebone (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:04
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: tpr's headmistress (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:06
Hmmm, I thought Nowell boycotted the artificial surface.
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Posted by: Sarriebone (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:12
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones and Phil Watters.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.
Citing Officer: Buster White
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones and Phil Watters.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.
Citing Officer: Buster White
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:16
Ben Earl red card rescinded by the disciplinary committee. Interesting considering the reaction from non-Sarries fans who were convinced it was a red.
Anyway it’s an interesting couple of lineups- very strong bench for us and Smally clearly making changes to help the lineout with four jumpers this week. Obviously will help having Maro and Jamie back in that aspect. I’ve much prefer Daly at 15 this season, at 13 I feel he’s not making the reads defensively that Loz does and his playmaking at 15 has been one of the main reasons for our attack clicking so well. Him and Tompkins have got a big job to do in defence v Kata and Slade
For Exeter I’m not familiar with the 6 and 8, are Ewers and Simmonds injured?
Anyway it’s an interesting couple of lineups- very strong bench for us and Smally clearly making changes to help the lineout with four jumpers this week. Obviously will help having Maro and Jamie back in that aspect. I’ve much prefer Daly at 15 this season, at 13 I feel he’s not making the reads defensively that Loz does and his playmaking at 15 has been one of the main reasons for our attack clicking so well. Him and Tompkins have got a big job to do in defence v Kata and Slade
For Exeter I’m not familiar with the 6 and 8, are Ewers and Simmonds injured?
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:22
Returns for George and Maro very welcome. Good to see Malins back I hope he gets some ball.
That looks like a strong team and whilst I'm not convinced about some calls in the XV the coaches know what they're doing and I guess have trained it that way all week. Hopefully the callers give Pifeleti some good targets and straight-forward throws when he comes on.
Strong bench too.
Chiefs seem to be missing a few front-line players most importantly LCD, Ewers and Vermuellen in terms of players that regularly cause us problems. No Hogg or Simmonds Snr either although I think they'll be missed less. Hogg aside that's probably their first XV in backs terms. Forwards more impacted by absences.
Kata impressed against Bath so our defence will need to be sharp.
I really liked the look of Frost at Wasps and he's quite a live wire to bring on from the bench.
It will be interesting to see how the scrum plays out. Definitely opportunities to target their back three.
On paper and at home this feels like a game Sarries should win so I hope the team can oblige. No back-chat, no cards and no injuries please!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:12:59:42 by OldMarovian.
That looks like a strong team and whilst I'm not convinced about some calls in the XV the coaches know what they're doing and I guess have trained it that way all week. Hopefully the callers give Pifeleti some good targets and straight-forward throws when he comes on.
Strong bench too.
Chiefs seem to be missing a few front-line players most importantly LCD, Ewers and Vermuellen in terms of players that regularly cause us problems. No Hogg or Simmonds Snr either although I think they'll be missed less. Hogg aside that's probably their first XV in backs terms. Forwards more impacted by absences.
Kata impressed against Bath so our defence will need to be sharp.
I really liked the look of Frost at Wasps and he's quite a live wire to bring on from the bench.
It will be interesting to see how the scrum plays out. Definitely opportunities to target their back three.
On paper and at home this feels like a game Sarries should win so I hope the team can oblige. No back-chat, no cards and no injuries please!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:12:59:42 by OldMarovian.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:27
Baxter has traditionally not sent his strongest team away to Sarries on the basis I guess that it gives us less from a win and risks less for Chiefs. It would be interesting to know which absent players are rested/rotated V injured.
(edit) suggestion on the Chiefs squad that there's illness in the squad. That's a shame for them if so.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:12:31:03 by OldMarovian.
(edit) suggestion on the Chiefs squad that there's illness in the squad. That's a shame for them if so.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:30:12:31:03 by OldMarovian.
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Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:34
Quote:TommyKentish
Ben Earl red card rescinded by the disciplinary committee. Interesting considering the reaction from non-Sarries fans who were convinced it was a red
Having re-watched it I was one who thought it was a red too. I'll be interested to read the report if it says why it wasn't a red as opposed to it just wasn't. Very glad they decided otherwise though and tbh the LI game felt a bit like one where they could have been playing with 10 and we'd still not have won!
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Posted by: Eurosarrie (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:43
With a 3 man advantage and not needing to reorganise the forwards, that last maul would have ended in a try, no problem. Where is the recompense for that?
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Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 12:47
My experiments in my Time-machine suggest that time is not necessarily linear Eurosarrie 
Who knows how the game would have gone had Earl only got a yellow? Maybe LI wouldn't have got subsequent cards? maybe Earl gets a hat-trick? The reality is Sarries made too many mistakes to lump the loss on an incorrect call by the referee.
Who knows how the game would have gone had Earl only got a yellow? Maybe LI wouldn't have got subsequent cards? maybe Earl gets a hat-trick? The reality is Sarries made too many mistakes to lump the loss on an incorrect call by the referee.
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Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 13:07
Quote:OldMarovianQuote:TommyKentish
Ben Earl red card rescinded by the disciplinary committee. Interesting considering the reaction from non-Sarries fans who were convinced it was a red
Having re-watched it I was one who thought it was a red too. I'll be interested to read the report if it says why it wasn't a red as opposed to it just wasn't. Very glad they decided otherwise though and tbh the LI game felt a bit like one where they could have been playing with 10 and we'd still not have won!
I can understand Carley’s reasoning but to me it was a decision that easily could’ve been a yellow as with the Jennings tackle. I’m more annoyed by seeing a lot of people dismissing this as a clear red when there was a hell of a lot of mitigation for Earl that means it could’ve gone either way. Agreed though, we were bloody awful and it doesn’t take away from a great win for Irish.
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Posted by: Debenair (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 13:40
TK
Grondona rides the pine for Argentina and is a bit of a Worsley-great chop tackler but not very creative. Fisilau is a youngster of great promise picked up with two others on the demise of Wasps.
I think Saracens have been able to pick their strongest available side for this one, where for Chiefs there are reports of lots of sickness in the dressing room. I think most chiefs supporters are reconciled to the thumping you guys are hoping we receive on the basis of your plethora of Internationals and experience V our guys youth and inexperience together. We can only hope for zero scrums and for your line out to blow up again!!
Grondona rides the pine for Argentina and is a bit of a Worsley-great chop tackler but not very creative. Fisilau is a youngster of great promise picked up with two others on the demise of Wasps.
I think Saracens have been able to pick their strongest available side for this one, where for Chiefs there are reports of lots of sickness in the dressing room. I think most chiefs supporters are reconciled to the thumping you guys are hoping we receive on the basis of your plethora of Internationals and experience V our guys youth and inexperience together. We can only hope for zero scrums and for your line out to blow up again!!
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Posted by: JimG (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 13:52
Don’t know about anyone else but I want to see an entertaining, competitive game which hopefully we win. I never go to games hoping just to see a thumping! Thanks for the info though.
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Posted by: Debenair (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 14:43
I think we all want to see a competitive match, not marred by controversy. You were playing beautiful irresistible rugby early in the season, but that is more difficult at this time of the year. We are clearly in transition, but have some great youngsters coming through and getting game time.
Without trying to be controversial I think that is a spectre you now need to start facing as anno domini begins to take its toll, on players like the Vunipolae, Wray, Goode, Daly, Faz & George.
I have no doubt that as usual MMc is ahead of the curve as evidenced by the recent recruitment of the likes of Wolfie, McFarland, Bello etc, but you have to face the prospect of shortly losing your “Golden Generation” and the big test, as for Rob B at Exe, is how well that transition is managed.
Without trying to be controversial I think that is a spectre you now need to start facing as anno domini begins to take its toll, on players like the Vunipolae, Wray, Goode, Daly, Faz & George.
I have no doubt that as usual MMc is ahead of the curve as evidenced by the recent recruitment of the likes of Wolfie, McFarland, Bello etc, but you have to face the prospect of shortly losing your “Golden Generation” and the big test, as for Rob B at Exe, is how well that transition is managed.
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Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 15:25
It will certainly be interesting Debenair. Mainly inspired by your comment I had a bit of a deeper look at the age profile of our squad. Without being too familiar with our Academy prospects and obviously having no idea about what recruitment McCall and Co have planned our succession planning in the pack looks very solid. Backrow and locks in particular populated with players who have lots of game time already and Maro and McFarland the "elder" Statesmen at 27. Front row is good too although as you say senior players may move on. In the backs we seem to have quite a senior team which makes the loss of a younger player like Malins frustrating but that's how it goes sometimes. We've some great younger wingers but there's an awful lot of experience and cover locked up in a small group of players most of whom are close to 30 or over.
Its going to be fascinating to watch as I'm sure it is for Chiefs.
Its going to be fascinating to watch as I'm sure it is for Chiefs.
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Posted by: ninjafez (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 15:36
obs the team want to show faith in KP, but I would have like to seen Theo Dan do some riding of the pine.....
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
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Posted by: Surbiton Sarries (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 15:46
Looks like it'll be a wet & windy afternoon.
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Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 17:19
That certainly helps Chiefs rather than Sarries.
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Posted by: Debenair (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 18:32
Malins is an odd one for me OM. I imagine he enjoyed his stint at Briz, but moving there permanently?
He strikes me as a player suffering (like Daly, and possibly Loz) from his versatility.
After seeing him perform at flyhalf for OAs at Woollams, and later that season for England U20 v France at Sandy Park in the same position, I was very impressed. But…..he has to unseat Faz and Goode to play there for Sarries and that is not going to happen any day soon.
Whether Lam has him in mind to compete with McGinty and Sheedy for that slot at Briz I know not, but I think he could certainly do better than Sheedy.
He strikes me as a player suffering (like Daly, and possibly Loz) from his versatility.
After seeing him perform at flyhalf for OAs at Woollams, and later that season for England U20 v France at Sandy Park in the same position, I was very impressed. But…..he has to unseat Faz and Goode to play there for Sarries and that is not going to happen any day soon.
Whether Lam has him in mind to compete with McGinty and Sheedy for that slot at Briz I know not, but I think he could certainly do better than Sheedy.
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Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 19:18
He'll be playing and starting at FB for Bristol Debenair. Our coaches have him behind Goode and Daly at Sarries.
His utility is a reason to hold onto him but also why he is valuable and wanted by Bristol.
For me he's the heir to Goode but he'll be that for another team now.
Still Sarries have excellent options and that's the reality of manging a cap as Chiefs are finding out as well with your mini exodus of players to France. Hopefully in all cases we'll see new and exciting talent step up to fill the gap
His utility is a reason to hold onto him but also why he is valuable and wanted by Bristol.
For me he's the heir to Goode but he'll be that for another team now.
Still Sarries have excellent options and that's the reality of manging a cap as Chiefs are finding out as well with your mini exodus of players to France. Hopefully in all cases we'll see new and exciting talent step up to fill the gap
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Posted by: ninjafez (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 20:44
A lot of chief fans seem very pessimistic over on their board.......did they not hear about last week's debarcle?
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
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Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2022 21:17
Ironically the bigger "favourites" Sarries become the more I worry 
Sale playing very well indeed tonight. Tigers looking second best even before they had a run of injuries in game but now they're understandably struggling. If they could deny Sale a TBP that would be super.
Sale playing very well indeed tonight. Tigers looking second best even before they had a run of injuries in game but now they're understandably struggling. If they could deny Sale a TBP that would be super.
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Posted by: Not Manichean (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 09:01
Quote:OldMarovian
Ironically the bigger "favourites" Sarries become the more I worry
Nevertheless, I for one will be astonished if you don't get a decent win! I just hope it's a good contest.
Best wishes to you M (and all Fezzers) for 2023. I think it should be your year for the taking!
Enjoy the match! 🥃🍺🥂🥂🍻🍻🍷🍷
Prawn Sandwiches are delicious!
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Posted by: clalan (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 13:33
You should win handsomely, all I wish for is to start the New Year with no more long term injuries after today, and hopefully an end to this bug going through the Chiefs camp. Your pack should be so dominant so will get good ball.
Sadly we threw it away at our place, and if we had our usual amount of pens prior to this season we would be challenging you guys. But ifs don’t win matches.
Happy New Year also in advance.
Sadly we threw it away at our place, and if we had our usual amount of pens prior to this season we would be challenging you guys. But ifs don’t win matches.
Happy New Year also in advance.
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Posted by: Kevetty (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 16:22
Unable to be at the game due to having Covid! Find it quite stressful watching at home rather than being at the game! Good performance so far, just need to keep it going for the next 22 minutes!
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Posted by: myleftboot (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 16:46
No Tony Rowe on the bench today?
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Posted by: myleftboot (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 16:55
Utterly destructive performance. Brilliant response to the Irish game, Owen answering all those idiots suggesting he give way for England
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Posted by: JimG (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 17:14
I take it back. Very happy with the thumping.
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Posted by: Debenair (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 17:25
Well played Saracens. An efficient quite dominant display. I was quite pleased with turning round still potentially in contact but our failings and your sensible play( together with our now normal fragility in the scrum) saw you move comfortably clear, eventually leading to complete dominance.
The second half was a masterclass.
Sir’s idiosyncrasies may have been horribly annoying at times but made no difference to the end result, so I don’t get some of the whining going on elsewhere.
The second half was a masterclass.
Sir’s idiosyncrasies may have been horribly annoying at times but made no difference to the end result, so I don’t get some of the whining going on elsewhere.
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Posted by: flavman 35 (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 17:35
Very surprised by the performance , even faz said after the game that we had been scraping results before the irish game. To produce that performance in those conditions was top drawer
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Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 17:51
Played those conditions beautifully against a slightly depleted Chiefs side. Makes a change watching a comfortable win- an unfamiliar feeling this season! And Faz’s pass, in those conditions??? 🤌🤌🤌
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Posted by: samgibbo (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 17:59
If Marcus Smith had thrown that pass then Twitter would have erupted! Other than Farrell's goal kicking (excusable in the conditions), that was a master class in game management. I've got a feeling Borthwick will shift him back to 10 and drop Smith to the bench / out of the England 23 if Ford can regain the form he was in at Leicester. Smith's time will come....
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Posted by: ComeOnSarries (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 18:02
Nice to have a game with no red or yellow cards for either team and no handbags either.
Like chalk and cheese compared to last week especially in line out and scrum. We seemed properly committed from minute 1 and nether gave them an easy way back into the game so for once an arm chair ride as a Sarries fan.
Like chalk and cheese compared to last week especially in line out and scrum. We seemed properly committed from minute 1 and nether gave them an easy way back into the game so for once an arm chair ride as a Sarries fan.
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Posted by: Rowancroft73 (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 18:34
As a Chiefs fan it sounds bizarre to suggest I enjoyed watching Sarries perform today. If nothing else it highlights the problems at Sandy Park and hopefully the powers that be will wake up to reality. Rumours of unrest, top players moving out and a coaching team who seem totally inflexible with their play book. We lacked desire, direction and leadership. I don’t accept the ‘depleted’ team we put out or some interesting decisions from CMK. We were totally outplayed in all aspects and your boys were a league above. Well played Sarries.
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Posted by: myleftboot (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 19:49
Quote:thank you. You clearly need to hold on to Nowell, he's the spark you can build a team around, he was magnificent, a true warriorRowancroft73
. Well played Sarries.
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Posted by: ouch!_that_hurts (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2022 22:52
Much as I hate to say it, well played today - a thoroughly deserved win. I do think you got the rub of the green from CMK but I'm sure that on other days we've had the better of the ref's 'interpretation'.
As you say, myleftboot, it seems to me that Jack (and one or two others of his ilk) are very important to our future and I really hope we can hang on to him. At least we know he won't play against us in the Prem.
If Jones allowed Faz to play like that, at 10, for England I wonder what could have happened over the past few years. Maybe SB will put him back there and give him the same freedom that McCall does because, no matter what a lot of people think, I'm not sure that Smith is an international 10 yet.
I hope that one day we could both put our very best sides out and see what happens.
Happy New Year to all.
As you say, myleftboot, it seems to me that Jack (and one or two others of his ilk) are very important to our future and I really hope we can hang on to him. At least we know he won't play against us in the Prem.
If Jones allowed Faz to play like that, at 10, for England I wonder what could have happened over the past few years. Maybe SB will put him back there and give him the same freedom that McCall does because, no matter what a lot of people think, I'm not sure that Smith is an international 10 yet.
I hope that one day we could both put our very best sides out and see what happens.
Happy New Year to all.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: JimG (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 01:16
Quote:Nowell seems like a good guy but I couldn’t disagree more otherwise. He has I reckon one more season max in his legs.myleftbootQuote:thank you. You clearly need to hold on to Nowell, he's the spark you can build a team around, he was magnificent, a true warriorRowancroft73
. Well played Sarries.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:01:01:55:04 by JimG.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: JimG (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 01:30
I mean, he practically fell over just trying to run in space unchallenged. No one else would sign him in their right mind.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 08:42
Exeter were awful in attack but defended extremely well in open play. Not sure we managed one clean break, and the forward carries made very little distance.
Very reassuring to see we still have those top level 80 minute performances in us!
Very reassuring to see we still have those top level 80 minute performances in us!
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 08:49
HNY to all on the Sarries board and as always thanks to DG for making it possible and the various people who provide the great articles.
HNY Mani and to the other Chiefs guests. The number of injuries and illness in the camp was always going to make this a tough journey. Maybe the two teams will meet again this season and hopefully we'll see a fuller strength Chiefs team?
I was a bit nervous about this game after last week but that was a thoroughly professional performance by the team and I really liked the ambition to still play in what were (whilst not the Biblical ones forecast) tricky conditions. Some of the hands by Malins and Mako in particular picking up pretty average passes were amazing.
Hopefully Daly is ok. I didn't see what caused the HIA but hope its not too bad.
Pretty much uniformly good performance although two of my favourites; Malins and Lozo conspired to not put away trys! Realistically that should have been a 50+ game for Sarries but even so I was impressed by the performance in terms of game management and control.
A bit hard to know what to say about Chiefs. All teams base their performances on at least parity up front and without that Chiefs were always going to struggle. To my view this was the first Chiefs team I've ever seen play Sarries who turned up looking like they were trying to avoid a bad loss rather than take it to Sarries. Having said earlier that one of the givens is that Chiefs always turn up for a game against Sarries this seemed the exception. Maybe it's as simple as a changing of the guard means fewer players with understandable "history" with Sarries to channel? As said elsewhere Nowell remains a threat and his passion at least seemed evident. Hodge at FB possibly one for the future too. To be honest the thing that impressed me most was Chiefs putting up jumpers when we kicked to the corners. Gutsy call as if you don't disrupt a good maul is easy to set. On two occasions an underthrow by a knackered George and good competition by (I think) Gray denied Sarries great opportunities. Chiefs obviously a team in transition but there's looks to be lots of potential in the young players Baxter and Co have been recruiting. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Well done to the whole team for an excellent first part of the season. The League looks very competitive. Both with teams playing above their previous standards and some teams showing or not showing from week to week with little rhyme or reason. That said Sale put down a major marker on Friday and Sanderson and his team (especially the defence coach) look to be doing a great job. I think Sarries next meet Sale at theirs during the 6 Nations which is a shame. Sorting out the season so club and Internationals are separate can't happen soon enough!
All the best for the new year to all
HNY Mani and to the other Chiefs guests. The number of injuries and illness in the camp was always going to make this a tough journey. Maybe the two teams will meet again this season and hopefully we'll see a fuller strength Chiefs team?
I was a bit nervous about this game after last week but that was a thoroughly professional performance by the team and I really liked the ambition to still play in what were (whilst not the Biblical ones forecast) tricky conditions. Some of the hands by Malins and Mako in particular picking up pretty average passes were amazing.
Hopefully Daly is ok. I didn't see what caused the HIA but hope its not too bad.
Pretty much uniformly good performance although two of my favourites; Malins and Lozo conspired to not put away trys! Realistically that should have been a 50+ game for Sarries but even so I was impressed by the performance in terms of game management and control.
A bit hard to know what to say about Chiefs. All teams base their performances on at least parity up front and without that Chiefs were always going to struggle. To my view this was the first Chiefs team I've ever seen play Sarries who turned up looking like they were trying to avoid a bad loss rather than take it to Sarries. Having said earlier that one of the givens is that Chiefs always turn up for a game against Sarries this seemed the exception. Maybe it's as simple as a changing of the guard means fewer players with understandable "history" with Sarries to channel? As said elsewhere Nowell remains a threat and his passion at least seemed evident. Hodge at FB possibly one for the future too. To be honest the thing that impressed me most was Chiefs putting up jumpers when we kicked to the corners. Gutsy call as if you don't disrupt a good maul is easy to set. On two occasions an underthrow by a knackered George and good competition by (I think) Gray denied Sarries great opportunities. Chiefs obviously a team in transition but there's looks to be lots of potential in the young players Baxter and Co have been recruiting. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Well done to the whole team for an excellent first part of the season. The League looks very competitive. Both with teams playing above their previous standards and some teams showing or not showing from week to week with little rhyme or reason. That said Sale put down a major marker on Friday and Sanderson and his team (especially the defence coach) look to be doing a great job. I think Sarries next meet Sale at theirs during the 6 Nations which is a shame. Sorting out the season so club and Internationals are separate can't happen soon enough!
All the best for the new year to all
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 09:15
Two other observations.
At the game those behind me were talking a fair bit about how Billy has lost his mojo. I do wonder if people watch the same game as me sometimes. When you're a teams primary carrying option you're always going to find yourself at least double-marked and it's true that his direct running was largely well taken care of by Chiefs but the game is also about committing defence and tiring the opposition. His work rate is absolutely massive going forward and decent in defence. He had almost as many attacking interactions (passes and carries) as the entire starting Chiefs lock combination and backrow combined!
Good work Billy
I also thought Christie had a great game.
At the game those behind me were talking a fair bit about how Billy has lost his mojo. I do wonder if people watch the same game as me sometimes. When you're a teams primary carrying option you're always going to find yourself at least double-marked and it's true that his direct running was largely well taken care of by Chiefs but the game is also about committing defence and tiring the opposition. His work rate is absolutely massive going forward and decent in defence. He had almost as many attacking interactions (passes and carries) as the entire starting Chiefs lock combination and backrow combined!
Good work Billy
I also thought Christie had a great game.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: ComeOnSarries (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 11:30
Everybody contributed to yesterday’s excellent performance. Having Maro playing alongside Nick did wonders for our line out and our scrum also got the edge. I thought Billy had an excellent game and made a couple of excellent catches in heavy traffic. Owen ruled the roost and it was good to see StoneX nice and busy!
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OTsarrie (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 12:23
Happy New Year to all!
I also thought Billy had a great game and would have been my man of the match , although I can see why Faz was chosen . It was a very good all round performance as we definitely left at least a couple of tries out there .
Exeter looked short of ideas and kept trying what wasn’t working which suggests issues in the coaching department ( a bit like England in the last couple of years ! ). I thought Josh Hodge looked good , and unlike some , never stopped trying .
Roll on 2023 …
I also thought Billy had a great game and would have been my man of the match , although I can see why Faz was chosen . It was a very good all round performance as we definitely left at least a couple of tries out there .
Exeter looked short of ideas and kept trying what wasn’t working which suggests issues in the coaching department ( a bit like England in the last couple of years ! ). I thought Josh Hodge looked good , and unlike some , never stopped trying .
Roll on 2023 …
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2023 16:56
Congrats to Earl who seems to have a call up to Borthwicks first "look-see" camp. Thoroughly deserved. I also think Borthwicks comment that he is genuinely looking at all options is genuine rather than a soundbite.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: Roger G (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 08:25
At the match I got the impression that we'd had the "rub of the green" from CMK. After watching it back, however, with the benefit of hearing what he was saying, I don't think he got too much wrong. My mistake was listening to Dayglo on BT comms at the match. He clearly a) needs to watch with both eyes and b) listen himself to the refs explanations.
For example at one point in the second half Dayglo thought Exeter should have had a penalty when one of our players was isolated with a Chief over him and the ball. However you can clearly hear CMK say "his head's on the ground so he can't be on his feet". There were also a few neck grabs by either side, but Dayglo only picks up on the one by Faz. The only obvious error was missing a likely knock on by Faz, but even that might've gone forward off his legs.
For example at one point in the second half Dayglo thought Exeter should have had a penalty when one of our players was isolated with a Chief over him and the ball. However you can clearly hear CMK say "his head's on the ground so he can't be on his feet". There were also a few neck grabs by either side, but Dayglo only picks up on the one by Faz. The only obvious error was missing a likely knock on by Faz, but even that might've gone forward off his legs.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: Surbiton Sarries (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 09:27
Daylo make a number of comments about CMK's decisions going our way. Normal Dayglo.
In the second half there was some jeering from the crowd as the Chiefs 9 line lined up a box kick. Snide comments from Dayglo- "Who'd have thought it - a box kick being booed at Saracens". It wasn't tehe kick that was being jeered - it was the time that the 9 was wasting in lining up the kick.
In the second half there was some jeering from the crowd as the Chiefs 9 line lined up a box kick. Snide comments from Dayglo- "Who'd have thought it - a box kick being booed at Saracens". It wasn't tehe kick that was being jeered - it was the time that the 9 was wasting in lining up the kick.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 09:28
Quote:Roger G
My mistake was listening to Daygloon BT comms at the match. He clearly a) needs to watch with both eyes and b) listen himself to the refs explanations.
Fixed for you
It was Ugo and Dallaglio wasn't it? surely that's the 6th level in Dante's Inferno?
It's incredible how much comms can impact a "neutral" view of the game.
Dallaglio started off in about the first ten minutes with "this is a game where everything will be given to the home team" and as you say he stuck to his guns with that even whilst the replay videos and referees comments showed he was talking b*lls (as is his wont) much of the time.Given that Chiefs play escaped any comment from him it further highlighted the bias.
Note, I'm not saying that referees don't unintentionally favour dominant sides or that there aren't games where a side definitely seems to get more than their share of 50/50s but as an example at the game the ridiculous caterpillars (early on 7 Chiefs players bound to one prone on the floor and taking close to 20 seconds to clear) weren't mentioned and yet at the game the frequency and time wasted on them was obvious, as to be fair was Sarries very slow line-out formation (noted by comms)
One of the few things I really like about SR is that comms is so positive. If someone does something rubbish or their is negative play they tend not to dwell on it. If someone tries something and it doesn't come off they're praised for taking the chance rather than suggested that it should have beeen cleared. It transforms the whole listening experience!
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: Roger G (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 09:42
Quote:OldMarovian
...as an example at the game the ridiculous caterpillars (early on 7 Chiefs players bound to one prone on the floor and taking close to 20 seconds to clear) weren't mentioned
That one, or a very similar situation, was mentioned when Dayglo pointed out the irony of Sarries fans booing a box kick. He hadn't realised he'd had time to go and buy a coffee between the ruck forming and the box kick happening.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: JimG (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 09:51
Dallaglio had a real bee in his bonnet. So weird and you’re right it leads the opposition fans to believing they were hard done by. Focussing on the negative is a real issue with Dallaglio and Healey. Healey in particular absolutely loves looking for a yellow/red card offence and there would barely be a man on the pitch by the end if he was reffing. You don’t get any of that from Topsy or Ben to be fair. Time to move some of the dinosaurs out.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:02:09:52:18 by JimG.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:02:09:52:18 by JimG.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 09:55
Quote:Roger G
That one, or a very similar situation, was mentioned when Dayglo pointed out the irony of Sarries fans booing a box kick. He hadn't realised he'd had time to go and buy a coffee between the ruck forming and the box kick happening.
You're right, my bad. They mentioned that one such ruck had taken 17 seconds but not that it was one of about four or five that took that time. For balance, we had at least three or four lineouts where I could have popped out of the stands, grabbed that coffee and come back to my seat too! The idea that this was one of the first games where the referee would be trying to speed things up seemed to have passed the game by.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:02:09:56:52 by OldMarovian.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: JimG (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 09:57
Quote:Roger GQuote:OldMarovian
...as an example at the game the ridiculous caterpillars (early on 7 Chiefs players bound to one prone on the floor and taking close to 20 seconds to clear) weren't mentioned
That one, or a very similar situation, was mentioned when Dayglo pointed out the irony of Sarries fans booing a box kick. He hadn't realised he'd had time to go and buy a coffee between the ruck forming and the box kick happening.
Agreed. It was quite obviously the length of time being taken rather than the fact of the kick itself which caused the reaction.
Re: EXETER PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
Posted by: ninjafez (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2023 21:24
I watched back the replay, i recon maybe CMK missed two/threee max but when cheifs gave a way a jacking penalty where Craig said the cheifs player's head is on the turf, so obs Dayglo thinks it was an auto penalty and CMK though he wasn't secure enough on the ball before he lost balance.... thats sorta stuff is red rag when you already feel you have lost the ref...
the faz neck roll is deff missed but then again i think most understand if chiefs got the rub of the green it wasn't enough to turn this game based on our performance..
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
the faz neck roll is deff missed but then again i think most understand if chiefs got the rub of the green it wasn't enough to turn this game based on our performance..
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
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