Recruitment 1
black_otter
By Black_otter
May 26 2013
Black_otter takes a look at Exeter Chiefs recruitment. Part 1 looks at season 2010-11
Recuitment
Part 1
I often find myself a little sceptical about the majority of Chiefs’ new signings, and then have the pleasure of seeing Rob Baxter and co get the absolute most out of these new players when they improve and perform better than they have before. I thought I would go back over our prem lifetime just to confirm my thesis, and started by reacquainting myself with our recruitment back on page 170 of the 244 (given that we are currently on page 1). I’ve deliberately ignored the players that have come through the academy and have not intended to focus on those that have left/are leaving, so here are some thoughts:
Signings for (and during) season 2010/11
Luke Arscott – joined from our vanquished championship final opponents, I was fairly neutral/willing to be impressed after his performances against Exe, but has turned into an absolute star for Exe. Verdict = success
James Phillips – joined from our vanquished championship final opponents, looked a real prospect with ball in hand; has been desperately unlucky with injury, but his chance to shine may now come with Richie B’s retiral. Verdict = suspect more to come
Andrew Higgins – joined post his calamity at Bath, I wasn’t sure how he would fit into the whole team ethos; did a job for a season when given a few, rare chances. Verdict = quiet success
Chris Whitehead – hadn’t heard much of Chrissie, and couldn’t remember too much from our games against LW but exemplified new style mobile hooker; pushed through to become first choice, recent setback with injury aside. Verdict = success
Ryan Davies – like Higgins joined from Bath, and I confess to not being so keen to take a player they weren’t keen on, but pushed Steeno hard for the starting 10 jersey during our first prem season. Verdict = quiet success
John Vickers – young hooker, joined from Saints academy, presumably looking to develop him as a player; loan move to Plymouth became permanent. Verdict = neutral
Junior Poluleuligaga – Samoan international scrum-half, offering a contrasting style to our incumbent scrumhalves; struggled to break thru to regular first team appearances, but stalwart for Braves and in LV=, and has given his all to the club off the field. Verdict = success (for off-field, mentoring role)
Ignacio Elosu – young Argentine prop, brought in to add depth, I suspect; fulfilled his role when required. Verdict = quiet success
Jason Shoemark – joined from the Highlanders in SuperXV, and has gone on to completely fulfil his potential imo, one of the lynchpins of our backline. Verdict = success
Eoghan Grace – young Munster academy project player, unlucky with injury and didn’t get much of a chance. Verdict = neutral
Sireli Naqelevuki – joined from the Stormers in SuperXV, mainly as a big strong winger, but switched mainly to centre and is guaranteed to make yards over the gainline. Verdict = success
Ignacio Mieres – brought in to add further depth to our options at halfback, and for a while went on to take the 10 shirt as his own, gaining international recognition for Argentina. Verdict = success
Peter Kimlin – joined for a brief stint in a bid to regain fitness before returning to the Brumbies for the SuperXV season; only fleeting appearances before picking up a nasty injury, but looked a talent. Verdict = neutral
Nemani Nadolo – joined mid-way thru the season from Bourgoin, offering a massive, pacey threat out wide in perfect contrast to our existing options; off-field issues rendered his stay unfortunately short. Verdict = disappointing (for off-field)
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anyone else want t pen an article for the summer P or email to me
I am pretty much in agreement with you except for Andrew Higgens and Ignacio Elosu who both of whom made no noticeable impact IMO.
I bet that Ryan Davis wishes that he could turn back time!,perhaps in future summer breaks we should do some "Where are they now?" articles.
Thanks once again Black Otter.
Exeter Chiefs - living the dream!
Thoughts are like arrows: once released , they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim
This was our first year in the prem, so we'd come to the recruitment process late, only reAlly entering the market after our championship win on a wet Bristol evening at the end of May. Nevertheless I thought Rob's initial recruitment made sense, looking to bring the squad in general up to a similar level. I wasn't too sure how the two Bath players would fair on their return to the game, but I felt that both added something as the season progressed. Likewise, I was concerned that we continued to add players as the season progressed, concerned how these guys would gel and how their fitness levels would bear up to Exe scrutiny, but again Rob picked up some real diamonds after the commencement of the season.
The following season I initially thought that we might dip some more into the market early on, as it was the fest real chance to freshen the squad up with out-of-contract players open to offers, but the squad had performed so credibly in their first season that there weren't many glaring holes, other than replacing Ryan Davies. Look out for part 2 (another summer filler) soon!
I disagree with Andrew Higgins, I thought he was coming to prove a point and show everyone that he could re-ignite his rugby career with some first team rugby?
Quote:Chiefmouth
I disagree with Andrew Higgins, I thought he was coming to prove a point and show everyone that he could re-ignite his rugby career with some first team rugby?
That may of been Higgins reasons for coming, but won't have been Robs reasons for signing him. Which will have included getting his experience , getting someone with passion due to something to prove and even a little bit of publicity due to notoriety and the hope of a bad boy comes good story(cynic in me speaking).
I would agree a quiet success in that at least it didn't blow up in Rob's face.
He arrived in first season too abeit it a tad late in November and turned out to be a success of the stunning variety, is he not?
Quote:Dawlish Chief
Pretty much a good assesment, but where is shoey?
He arrived in first season too abeit it a tad late in November and turned out to be a success of the stunning variety, is he not?
think you may of miss read the article DC he is listed.
Jason Shoemark – joined from the Highlanders in SuperXV, and has gone on to completely fulfil his potential imo, one of the lynchpins of our backline. Verdict = success
Such a shame he had personal issues, causing poor life decisions.
Quote:clalan
Nadolo on the pitch was a success, with bags of potential and chance to grow.
Such a shame he had personal issues, causing poor life decisions.
I no naldolo was done for drink driving and the saga surrounding his transfer. Did he commit any other wrong doings?
AH-64, Muldowney will be covered in part 2 (apologies for it being drawn out)
Luke Arscott - Retained
James Phillips - Retained
Andrew Higgins - Falcons via Sale Sharks
Ignacio Eluso - Esher
Jason Shoemark - Retained
Eoghan Grace - Plymouth via Connaught
Sireli - Retained
Ignacio Meires - Worcester
Peter Kimlin - Brumbies
Nemani Nadolo- NEC Green Rockets in Japan
Quote:black_otter
Tom A Hawk, well remembered, had completely forgotten about Cowley - arriving from Esher, still ND1 then, I think (?), I don't think I was expecting very much except bench cover from time-to-time, and from memory, I think that's what we got. My verdict would be Quiet success/neutral, I think.
AH-64, Muldowney will be covered in part 2 (apologies for it being drawn out)
Cowley was excellent in the A League games (esp as there were more of them in that first Prem season). I think he captained the side on several occassions and his experience shone.
Quote:Chief capsQuote:Dawlish Chief
Pretty much a good assesment, but where is shoey?
He arrived in first season too abeit it a tad late in November and turned out to be a success of the stunning variety, is he not?
think you may of miss read the article DC he is listed.
Jason Shoemark – joined from the Highlanders in SuperXV, and has gone on to completely fulfil his potential imo, one of the lynchpins of our backline. Verdict = success
I must have word blindness or something. YOu're right, need a holiday in the sun.
Quote:ChiefBottleWasher
It would be nice to add a where are they now comment onto the end of each one.
Luke Arscott - Retained
James Phillips - Retained
Andrew Higgins - Falcons via Sale Sharks
Ignacio Eluso - Esher
Jason Shoemark - Retained
Eoghan Grace - Plymouth via Connaught
Sireli - Retained
Ignacio Meires - Worcester
Peter Kimlin - Brumbies
Nemani Nadolo- NEC Green Rockets in Japan
Great idea, CBW, perhaps Moorsman will be able to make the additions for the next one