Chiefs v Warriors preview
Richie Baxter
By Moorsman
November 29 2011
Exeter Chiefs look forward to joining battle with an old adversary on Saturday when they welcome Worcester Warriors to Sandy Park
Exeter Chiefs v Worcester Warriors
Match Preview
The County Ground
The last league season to feature Chiefs v Warriors fixtures was 2003/04 when Exeter finished in Sixth place, Worcester won the league undefeated with 125 points. Top points scorer for Chiefs was Tony Yapp with 320 including 9 tries, most tries Hayden Thomas with 11.
Rob Baxter was in the playing squad plus three players who are likely to figure in Saturday's match, Richie Baxter, Haydn Thomas and a certain Dale Rasmussen.
Rob Baxter was in the playing squad plus three players who are likely to figure in Saturday's match, Richie Baxter, Haydn Thomas and a certain Dale Rasmussen.
Sandy Park
Things have certainly changed since then with the Chiefs elevation to the Prem coninciding with Warriors relegation from the same. Whilst a few of the Worcester players may have visited Sandy Park with the 'A' team their Head Coach, Richard Hill knows it well from his time at Brizz.
Currently the Premiership table looks like this:
Currently the Premiership table looks like this:
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | PTS | |
| 1 | Harlequins | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 273 | 151 | 3 | 39 |
| 2 | Saracens | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 203 | 152 | 2 | 30 |
| 3 | London Irish | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 242 | 212 | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | Northampton Saints | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 207 | 144 | 2 | 22 |
| 5 | Exeter Chiefs | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 180 | 193 | 5 | 21 |
| 6 | Gloucester | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 181 | 182 | 4 | 20 |
| 7 | Sale Sharks | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 200 | 231 | 4 | 20 |
| 8 | Wasps | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 165 | 190 | 3 | 19 |
| 9 | Bath | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 160 | 185 | 2 | 18 |
| 10 | Leicester Tigers | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 229 | 245 | 4 | 18 |
| 11 | Worcester Warriors | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 126 | 158 | 2 | 16 |
| 12 | Newcastle Falcons | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 138 | 261 | 1 | 7 |
So, on paper just 5 points between the sides, the Chiefs having one more win and 3 more bonus points than Warriors. Apart from the away game at Franklins Gardens the Chiefs have plundered points from every game this season. Worcester have failed to gain points in 3 games and have yet to win away from Sixways.
However this counts for nothing at 3pm on Saturday and Rob & Co will have been working hard to ensure the team starts a lot quicker than Friday night at Sale. With the league being so tight this is an opportunity to start putting some distance between us and the bottom 4 as the half way point in the season is reached.
It looks like there will be a good sized crowd and The Tribe will need to be in good voice to roar the Chiefs on to what could, with a little fortune, be a 5 point win.
Come On You Chiefs!!
Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged)
Date: 29/11/2011 23:08
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Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Pinhoe_Chief (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 06:45
Expecting a hard bruising affair. Our pack need to be top of their game from the first for us to build from. Last time out against Bath they were very physical resulting in injuries for both sides and ultimately leaving them short a couple of first choice players. Nervous about this one, just hoping that we perform and come away with the win. Whatever happens, as always the boys will give their all.
Cmon you Chiefs!!
Cmon you Chiefs!!
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Lowerwatha (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 09:14
Great preview - should be a full on encounter on Saturday. Our kicking game will have to be on song because their wingers Garvey and Benjamin are their main attacking threat. If we can keep them out of the game and make the most of our strength in the pack we should win this one.
Expect a lot of vocal support for them so the Tribe will have to be in good voice and really spur our boys on.
Lets build on that fantastic win last weekend.
Come on you Chiefs!
Expect a lot of vocal support for them so the Tribe will have to be in good voice and really spur our boys on.
Lets build on that fantastic win last weekend.
Come on you Chiefs!
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Dawlish chief (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 09:34
It's OK, I've seen 2 magpies together and just topped up the glass.
In a way, this potentially is more of a banana skin than Sale, and our dogged fighting spirit got us out of a hole, so I am hopeful, all bananas will be banned from the ground, so we should prevail and dominate their pack.
The key will be not to let their wingers get hold of the ball as Quizdave says.
In a way, this potentially is more of a banana skin than Sale, and our dogged fighting spirit got us out of a hole, so I am hopeful, all bananas will be banned from the ground, so we should prevail and dominate their pack.
The key will be not to let their wingers get hold of the ball as Quizdave says.
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Exeforever (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 10:12
This is an enormous banana skin waiting for us to go *rse over t*t on it and undo all the good work at Sale.
We must win the game first and only go after the 5 points later so no silly boos when we take the penalties.
Our discipline has to be spot on as both Goode and Carlisle are pretty useful kickers.
This is the first time I can ever remember us being favourites in a game against Worcester. In the past they were always the master and we were the pupil. We have to show that those roles are now reversed.
We may do well to get 2 let alone 4 or 5 points out of Irish away and Quins at home so we have to keep plundering the points as and when we can.
We must win the game first and only go after the 5 points later so no silly boos when we take the penalties.
Our discipline has to be spot on as both Goode and Carlisle are pretty useful kickers.
This is the first time I can ever remember us being favourites in a game against Worcester. In the past they were always the master and we were the pupil. We have to show that those roles are now reversed.
We may do well to get 2 let alone 4 or 5 points out of Irish away and Quins at home so we have to keep plundering the points as and when we can.
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: DancesWithScrumpy (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 10:22
Very evenly matched teams I think. Two big gnarly packs, with decent 10's, strong running wingers and solid centres. As Nacho Mieres has said this is going to be a "war" on saturday. Will be close again, but Wuss have their very handy loosehead Matt Mullan injured and Neil Best has a broken arm too. With us at full strength in the forwards I think we'll wear them down and get on top of them, forcing penalties. It won't be pretty, but you don't get extra points for artistic impression. Chiefs to win 21-13
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: black_otter (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 11:08
Another key game for us, and we're probably in the slightly unusual position of being 'favourites'. Pretty sure that Rob & Co will not let that affect preparations tho! 4 or 5 points from this one will be a great boost towards achieving this year's goals 
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: boston chief (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 12:00
For what it's worth - I reckon 26 - 16 to ex.
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Lowerwatha (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 13:38
Weather does not look to good on Saturday - wet - so could preclude running rugby. Might be a bit of kicking fest so hope Mieres is the starting 10.
With their injury worries in the pack, particularly the front row, we should cause them problems in the scrum. Throwing into the line-out will have to be good because their man Gillies does not miss much. Will also need to guard against giving them penalties in our half as Goode has a lethal boot.
Reckon it will be Chiefs 24-9 but if we do get a decent lead, we could push for a bonus point!
With their injury worries in the pack, particularly the front row, we should cause them problems in the scrum. Throwing into the line-out will have to be good because their man Gillies does not miss much. Will also need to guard against giving them penalties in our half as Goode has a lethal boot.
Reckon it will be Chiefs 24-9 but if we do get a decent lead, we could push for a bonus point!
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: drifter (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 13:55
Hi
our pack will not be weak unless we are forced into subs at prop. That is the area we are suffering with injuries. but Bruce douglas and big dave are two of the most experienced props in the game. just hope they can do the 80 minutes. we will miss Best but the 3 guys who will play at 6,7, and 8 are very fit and agile.
this one will be very close I feel and perhaps you are right that it will come down to kicking.
just hope no player from either side gets injured and that a good encounter is cleanly fought.
our pack will not be weak unless we are forced into subs at prop. That is the area we are suffering with injuries. but Bruce douglas and big dave are two of the most experienced props in the game. just hope they can do the 80 minutes. we will miss Best but the 3 guys who will play at 6,7, and 8 are very fit and agile.
this one will be very close I feel and perhaps you are right that it will come down to kicking.
just hope no player from either side gets injured and that a good encounter is cleanly fought.
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: AlexChief (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 16:21
Quote:drifter
just hope no player from either side gets injured and that a good encounter is cleanly fought.
Very well said - looking forward to our first Premiership encounter and hoping all of the Worcester fans have a safe journey and enjoy Sandy Park in spite of the result
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Dawlish chief (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 16:50
Weather is 13 wet and westerly wind around 17 knots, so if true, it certainly will have an effect on most things I'd say.
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: barumbrave (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 17:16
Good preview, a lot at stake on Saturday, we will need to ensure solid line outs, and play to our strengths. The worst part of all this is that it is the first home game of the season I have to miss, so will be trying to Internet/radio to keep in touch. Will be shouting with you from North Devon. Come on X
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: ROLLO (IP Logged)
Date: 30/11/2011 22:58
Exforever you have a short memeory,there were quite a few times in the old Div 1 when Ex were favourites and rightly so, ankle deep in mud at your old ground.
Times change and you have made a briliant start to your Premiership journey.
I think a close game, and just have a feeling that the Warriors may edge it despite a long injury list. As Drifter has said it is the bench props that will be the weakness, anyone for uncontested scrums!
Times change and you have made a briliant start to your Premiership journey.
I think a close game, and just have a feeling that the Warriors may edge it despite a long injury list. As Drifter has said it is the bench props that will be the weakness, anyone for uncontested scrums!
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 01/12/2011 20:43
Richard Hills thoughts on Saturday Warriors TV
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: clalan (IP Logged)
Date: 01/12/2011 21:14
Sounds like we are a group of well drilled, unheard-of s without the class to get the ball wide, unlike high try scoring wuss. Poor attempt at being diplomatic Mr Hill.
Oh well here's to sharing a few beer with their supporters, and looking forward to a good game.
Oh well here's to sharing a few beer with their supporters, and looking forward to a good game.
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Axe Chief (IP Logged)
Date: 01/12/2011 23:58
Before we worry about (winning) bonus points just remember Worc have a defensive record equal of the top two, and we have an indifferent record of creating scores from our usual (2nd half?) dominance.
Our pack generally has no fear of any team and must have some of the best scrummaging statistics,.....but 'the lineout', particularly against anyhalf decent team remains a problem Rob & Co.still do not seem to be improving on.
Weather conditions could also be a leveller for a tight, "squeaky bum" game, so I will take any win by at least ONE point!
Our pack generally has no fear of any team and must have some of the best scrummaging statistics,.....but 'the lineout', particularly against anyhalf decent team remains a problem Rob & Co.still do not seem to be improving on.
Weather conditions could also be a leveller for a tight, "squeaky bum" game, so I will take any win by at least ONE point!
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: chief_bald_eagle (IP Logged)
Date: 02/12/2011 00:09
Let's wait and see how it goes on Saturday.
Rob B's approach is to train the boys hard and tell them to give it your best, if the result comes enjoy it, but whatever happens there'll be lessons to be learnt. Take those lessons on board and we'll improve.
One thing we don't need is to get ahead of ourselves. Over the course of a season the table won't lie.
We'll be at SP right behind the boys - like they are for each other - Always loyal
Rob B's approach is to train the boys hard and tell them to give it your best, if the result comes enjoy it, but whatever happens there'll be lessons to be learnt. Take those lessons on board and we'll improve.
One thing we don't need is to get ahead of ourselves. Over the course of a season the table won't lie.
We'll be at SP right behind the boys - like they are for each other - Always loyal
Re: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 02/12/2011 22:14
Win this and we could be in 4th spot tomorrow lose we could stay 6th. Either way we're in the rigt half of the table.
But this is only idle supporter talk and Rob & Co will have the guys ready to give a big performance.
I'm still sticking with my glass full view of life in the Prem (gave up drinking halves a long, long time ago)
P156...COME ON YOU CHIEFS..
..CHIEFS....CHIEFS....CHIEFS
But this is only idle supporter talk and Rob & Co will have the guys ready to give a big performance.
I'm still sticking with my glass full view of life in the Prem (gave up drinking halves a long, long time ago)
P156...COME ON YOU CHIEFS..
..CHIEFS....CHIEFS....CHIEFSRe: Chiefs v Warriors preview
Posted by: fatheralice (IP Logged)
Date: 02/12/2011 22:20
Chiefs by 10.
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