Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Joe Simmonds
14 Jack Nowell
13 Rory O’Loughlin
12 Ian Whitten
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stu Townsend
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Marcus Street
4 Jack Dunne
5 Jonny Gray
6 Jannes Kirsten
7 Christ Tshiunza
8 Richard Capstick

Replacements
16 Jack Innard
17 James Kenny
18 Patrick Schickerling
19 Reuben van Heerden
20 Dave Ewers
21 Jack Maunder
22 Solomona Kata
23 Facundo Cordero

Warriors |

15 Jamie Shillcock,
14 Perry Humphreys,
13 Ollie Lawrence,
12 Francois Venter (C),
11 Alex Hearle,
9 Gareth Simpson,
10 Owen Williams,
9 Gareth Simpson,
1 Valeriy Morozov,
2 Curtis Langdon,
3 Murray McCallum,
4 Joe Batley,
T Andrew Kitchener,
6 Fergus Lee-Warner,
7 Cameron Neild,
8 Tom Dodd.

Replacements

16 Hame Faiva,
17 Rory Sutherland,
18 Jay Tyack,
19 Graham Kitchener,
20 Matt Kvesic,
21 Will Chudley,
22 Billy Searle,
23 Noah Heward.

Match Officials

Referee: Matthew Carley (123rd Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones and Peter Allan.
TMO: Claire Hodnett.
Citing Officer: John Byett.

Weather Forecast
Light cloud and a gentle breeze from the north west.
Temperature will feel like 15 degrees
Low chance of rain

After last week’s good performance it would be strange not to predict a win I suppose.

Warriors 15 Ex 28

Fingers crossed this is the start of some stability for Worcester. Come on you Chiefs!

Television Coverage
SD Channel 408 BT Sports 2 from 1430
HD Channel 431 BT Sports 2 from 1430

Great to see the game going ahead. The ructions of the week could affect them both ways and hopefully their will be a good crowd. We have loaded the bench again so I predict 34-17 to Chiefs!

Surprised Jack N is playing on a plastic pitch. Worcester 15 - 35 Exeter.

I am sorry to say that all that is needed now is for the scoreboard from New Road to be placed at Sixways. We have to be graeful that the game is on although it grates with me that having spent almost £800 on a ST and parking space I will have to fork out another £ ? to see the match in a seat that will not be as good as my normal one.
The sooner we can get J & C out the beyyer , but I have my doubts.

Quote:

ROLLO
I am sorry to say that all that is needed now is for the scoreboard from New Road to be placed at Sixways. We have to be graeful that the game is on although it grates with me that having spent almost £800 on a ST and parking space I will have to fork out another £ ? to see the match in a seat that will not be as good as my normal one.
The sooner we can get J & C out the beyyer , but I have my doubts.

Why have you got to fork out anything else Rollo…ST holders will Get in and it doesn’t say you won’t be in normal seat

Tickets also in general sale

I think we're on to something big this year, and unfortunately for Worcester, they're next in line ... Mighty bench again, although Worcester have some depth there too with Matt and Will.
Worcester 10 - Chiefs 45

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Iam sure many rugby fans feel sympathy for the Warriors in their current circumstance. The result will depend on the mentality of both teams, and I hope the Chiefs are fully revved because I think Dimes will have energised warriors with all their problems - just to get the match played must be progress and a relief?! I think Venter and Lawrence will target Whitts. IMO a potential horrible banana skin but I hope not. Our bench does look strong. Worcs 24 Chiefs 30

Usually have tight games against Worcester, never understand why, but I believe their terrible position will improve our chances.
10-30 Chiefs win, another awful plastic pitch, hence no LCD.

Irish fan in peace.
Just curious Why is simmonds being selected at FB. Is it to give game time to your young 10?

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tatthecraicnew
Irish fan in peace.
Just curious Why is simmonds being selected at FB. Is it to give game time to your young 10?

Hoggy is still a couple of weeks away from returning after his op.
Natural selection to move Joe to 15, which he’s done on a number of occasions.

Surprised not to see Hodge, I was told he was fit again, why Whitt’s continues to start is beyond me, Kata and O’loughlin as a centre combo would have been worth a go. Would also prefer JM starting at 9 with Stu playing the last 20 subject to the score line. Always grateful to get any win against Worcester.

I think the fire is back in Chiefs' bellies and as miraculous it is that the game has been given the go ahead I sadly think Warriors are a long way from being out of the woods. I think that will show and I am going for a big away win. Chiefs 52 Warriors 10.
All seems a bit irrelevant though in the context of the difficulties Worcester players, staff and fans are being subjected to. Whatever the score I hope the club pulls through this and can get shot of the cowboys they unfortunately have as owners

Away win even though I’m sure Warrior’s will want to put on a strong display. Last visit we squeezed out a win by 4pts.

Worcester 13 - 39 Chiefs

Full respect to all the staff at Wuss for getting this game on.👏
But only can see a big chiefs win.
Warriors 12- CHIEFS 48

Warriors 14 - 21 Chiefs
Worcester players are playing for their lives here, so I expect a tight game.

Fantastic effort from the whole club to get this match played (with the obvious exception of the owners....)

Good luck to Warriors and fingers crossed for the future

Hi BA, 'why Whitt’s continues to start is beyond me'
me too!

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Not Manichean
Fantastic effort from the whole club to get this match played (with the obvious exception of the owners....)
Good luck to Warriors and fingers crossed for the future

+1

Usually a high scoring match on this dreadful playing surface- I’ll go for wuss 24 Chiefs 38. Fingers crossed we cannot play as poorly as last season and keep 15 on the pitch.

I have to say all this 'Whitt's hating' is doing my head in. As far as I could see he didn't do anything wrong against Leicester last week and both Kata and O'Loughlin have only been with the club a few weeks; let's let them 'bed in' slowly. I am inclined to agree with BA about the SH's and would prefer to see JM starting.

After last week, I'm feeling fairly upbeat but Warriors have often been a difficult side for us and will, no doubt, be up for it. However, the past few days can't have helped their preparation so I'm predicting a Chiefs win, 31 - 10.

Good to see Stu starting again, he is our no1 9 now. It's never easy at Sixways so will go for Warriors 17 - 28 Chiefs.

Something will have to go really wrong for us not to win convincingly. Passion and pride is one thing but lack of physical prep along with the unfortunate club turmoil is another. Warriors 15 Chiefs 40

Glad the game is on, really hope it's start of better fortunes for wuss and they get shot of thier dreadful owners.

A strange one to predict, the emotional home support could drive wuss forward, s good start is essential. Hopefully, wuss 12 Chiefs 45 followed by a run of wuss wins to give thier poor fans something to cheer.

I think Whitts has been an excellent servant for the club and a really important part of the squad.

By all accounts there are few who train harder than he does and no one who hates being left out on matchday more than he does.

I love his attitude and have absolute faith in the coaches call to select him. Underrated by many on here imo.

HI Ouch,
Hating - wrong word - it is an opinion. Whitts has been a great servant and player for the club. As NM says his attitude is there for all to see. I believe the coaches lost their way last season and unlike NM no longer have complete faith in their abilities to bring about the changes we need. Whitts is past his best, slowing and while he is no doubt a very valuable squad member we need to see others in the 23. Opinions are just that - hate is something quite else.

Warriors 13 - 38 Exe but I could be wrong

I am sure Dimes will fire Wuss up and their performances against us over the last 3 or 4 years have always made our lives difficult. A backs to the wall performance is what I expect and for them to give it a really good go.
Obviously our bench is really strong again so if it is tight with 20 left I hope we can turn the screw like last weekend.

Oth,I don't hate Whitts but like most people I can see he is obviously not in the same form and is not quite the player he was a couple of seasons ago. He made a few noticeable errors last week,he fell off a couple of tackles he would have made in his sleep 2 or 3 seasons back and the really obvious error was the fumble mix up knock on on the Tigers line that ruled out Schlickerlings "first" try.
Personally I found it strange he got involved there considering the forwards are so well drilled with picking and going on the oppo line.
People don't "hate" Whitts. He is a Chiefs legend that is a great bloke to boot that has played his heart out for us and I respect him greatly for that but his best days are obviously behind him.
I believe Kata probably might have played but looked like he was blowing a bit quite early last weekend and it is probably quite sensible to ease him in to the Prem.
I wonder how many artificial surfaces Kata has played on? That must also come in to team selection decision making?
This is a potential banana skin but I believe we will win by 2 scores late on.

Quote:

cornwallchief
HI Ouch,
Hating - wrong word - it is an opinion. Whitts has been a great servant and player for the club. As NM says his attitude is there for all to see. I believe the coaches lost their way last season and unlike NM no longer have complete faith in their abilities to bring about the changes we need. Whitts is past his best, slowing and while he is no doubt a very valuable squad member we need to see others in the 23. Opinions are just that - hate is something quite else.

Hi CC

I agree that Whitts is a yard off his pace and has had a few positional errors (and a very unfortunate handling error) in the last couple of matches. But hes stiil a very solid player imo.

When Slade and Hendrickson are back Im not sure hell see that many starts. Who would you select in this match to start though?

Whitts is Mr Dependable, we’ve always had one! The man full of heart and passion who will put his hand up to play where needed.
We still have guys coming back who will not be risked on the dreaded plastic pitch.
I’m sorry but using the H word does seem to some up the comments certain people have about him every time he is selected.
Rob doesn’t pick of favourites he picks on what’s needed, and until certain players return, Mr Dependable will be called on.

When Devo and Slade are available, together with Kata, Hendrickson, O'Loughlin and Whitts we will be complaining that more players aren't getting enough game time. the disappointment for me is O'Brien who has not come on as I had expected.

Quote:

plymptonchief
When Devo and Slade are available, together with Kata, Hendrickson, O'Loughlin and Whitts we will be complaining that more players aren't getting enough game time. the disappointment for me is O'Brien who has not come on as I had expected.

Yes, im not sure how i forgot devo. But it seems like ages since he played.

O Brien has been very anonymous so far, and like you i need to be persuaded. But fingers crossed. Kata does look like he could be a great signing though.

When everyone is back we do have lots of options in midfield and in the pack back five too.

Half backs are the real concern.

Clalan, Rob doesn’t pick the team, Hepher does and therein lies the problem.

Wuss 12. 51 Chiefs

Glad to see the match starting and hope wuzz get their problems sorted out. Hard to predict the score as no one knows how the situation has affected the players. i think the team is pretty good and as for whitts he always gives 100% and you cant ask for more. 32- 18 to the chiefs for me and our bench looks very good. 5 points would be a good take going forward as we approach some tough games.

one Wuss player I liked the look of last season was Shillcock.

next home game the players could run out to Princess of China by local boy Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Rihanna

Wuss 8 Exeter 37
Interesting side, surprised at the centre paring, although kata, big dave and van heerden, shickerling coming on in the second half should provide a fairly direct challenge for wuss as the game goes on

Hi NM, I hope Whitts has a great game but I would far prefer to see Kata and O'loughlin given a run of games. I would also prefer to see Kata with Jack Nowell at 13. All an unknown but there is a great deal of improvement needed in our back play.

Quote:

cornwallchief
Hi NM, I hope Whitts has a great game but I would far prefer to see Kata and O'loughlin given a run of games. I would also prefer to see Kata with Jack Nowell at 13. All an unknown but there is a great deal of improvement needed in our back play.

Jack has said plenty of times that he'd be happy playing in the centres more often, and i wouldn't have any problem with that.

I haven't seen enough of O'Loughlin to form anyvreal opinion yet, but I can only assume that the coaches havecbeen watching carefully in training.

I do agree that our back line has been very blunt though in the first teo matches including Ulster.

But... in the quins match atvthe end of last season I thought Whitts was superb. And Jack was coming infield quite often to mix thongs up which worked well too.

Anyway. What do I know? Fingers crossed for Sunday.

Just glad the match is happening.

Worcester 15 Chiefs 30.

Hi NM; All good - IMO differing opinions is the way to learn and hear other views. Yours are always balanced , interesting and just as likely to be right as mine when we disagree! I sense you know a lot more than me about the Chief's than I do. As you say - the main thing we want is a Chief's win.

Worcester 13 Chiefs 41



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:17:15:55:23 by Chief Fire Water.

Not sure will be big win. Wuss presumably will be fired up. Would go for Wuss 17 Exe 24. Had some close games with them. Harvey Skinner will need to be on form.

Please consider, if travelling, that all front facing staff facilitating this fixture have no guarantee of ever being paid for their efforts of delivering a decent match day experience for all attending on Sunday. They'll be there for their club and community, and their lads on the paddock. Give them a smile, a thankyou and a pat on the back.
Let's all pray that Worcs get back on track sooner rather than later.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:09:16:21:54:07 by Bod.

Quote:

Bod
Please consider, if travelling, that all front facing staff facilitating this fixture have no guarantee of ever being paid for their efforts of delivering a decent match day experience for all attending on Sunday. They'll be there for their club and community, and their lads on the paddock. Give them a smile, a thankyou and a pat on the back.
Let's all pray that Worcs get back on track sooner rather than later.

Excellent sentiment. Well done and thank you to all those staff giving their time for love of their club.

Worcs 21 - Chiefs 28

Warriors 26 - 33 Chiefs

Voting for what I hope will happen rather than what I think will happen. Obviously want a Chiefs win but subject to that hope Worcester get 2 bonus points.

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Broken arrow
Clalan, Rob doesn’t pick the team, Hepher does and therein lies the problem.

BA, are you suggesting that Ali should be replaced?

I’m saying I trust Rob’s team selection a lot more than Ali’s. Imo, our performances and results have declined since Hepher took over the coaching / selection duties. It is also my opinion that Salvi was Hepher’s scape goat and that the root cause of the poor displays were more attributable to Hepher’s game plans and team selections than Salvi’s defensive coaching skills. It can’t be changed, but I’d rather we kept Salvi and changed Hepher.
Hopefully I will be proved terribly wrong and Chiefs will have a stunning season, I will happily admit I got it wrong if that is the case.

If you want to see what sort of owners we have read the article in todays Telegraph, it is also on the Wuss SN Site.
Those staff who are working unpaid have been threatened with the sack for a very reasonable tweet that they have put out. Words should fail the rugby fraternity.

Thanks Rollo, I saw that this morning. 'Appalling ' doesn't even begin to cover it. I'll see if I can post it here.

Glad I was completely wrong in my prediction last week, so better luck this time. Going for a Chiefs win, and has been mentioned before a few times, our bench made quite a difference when they came on, particularly big Dave. So Worcester 12 Exeter 41

Away win Worcester 15 Chiefs 53

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Clalan, Rob doesn’t pick the team, Hepher does and therein lies the problem.

Not only do you carry a distinct dislike for Whitts being in the team (who i personally think does a great job for us) you now seem to have turned on Aly Hepher too!

Ian is coming to the end of his playing years with us and has been and still is Mr Dependable. One of the hardest workers in training and whilst he has lost pace he hmakes up for it in heart. Yes he makes the odd mistake but who dosen`t for heavans sake! I could reel off a list of mistakes almost everyone made last week.
Now it seems to be Aly Hephers fault too!

Quote:

Isca Chief

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Broken arrow
Clalan, Rob doesn’t pick the team, Hepher does and therein lies the problem.

Not only do you carry a distinct dislike for Whitts being in the team (who i personally think does a great job for us) you now seem to have turned on Aly Hepher too!

Ian is coming to the end of his playing years with us and has been and still is Mr Dependable. One of the hardest workers in training and whilst he has lost pace he hmakes up for it in heart. Yes he makes the odd mistake but who dosen`t for heavans sake! I could reel off a list of mistakes almost everyone made last week.
Now it seems to be Aly Hephers fault too!

I dont get the Ali Hepher criticism either. Rob Baxter definitely still has input into selection, as does Rob Hunter, Haydn Thomas and Ricky Pellow.and presumably Omar too now.

Loads of other clubs would love to be able to appoint Hepher if he was available.

Nobody has yet forecast a Wuss win and we're not about to spoil that...........
Mrs PC Wuss 17 Chiefs 31
PC Wuss 13 Chiefs 28

Im not really playing in the predictions league but Ill go 17- 36. Im more interested to see an error free performance from ex.
Based on history id never underestimate Wuss.

Come on NM. You know more about Chiefs, the game and people in it, but even so you are most welcome to have a go!

I’m not playing either 😂 Wuss 18 Chiefs 28

Crowd limited to 5000, and I heard no travelling fans allowed !?!?!?

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Broken arrow
and I heard no travelling fans allowed !?!?!?

This from their Offy suggests otherwise:

. "I am not a Season Ticket holder, when will I receive the match tickets I have purchased?
All print-at-home tickets will be emailed to supporters ahead of the match on Sunday. All
tickets will be emailed at the same time, and we will announce this on social media. If you
have purchased a ticket in North, West or South Stand, you will be moved to East Stand and
your seat information will be on your print-at-home ticket."

Don't think they have any way of differentiating between home and away supporters. But emails will need to be received soon!

When Whitten was in his prime he was a bench player, now he is past his best he is starting, which says where the club is a the moment,

I could not disagree more mommentum I agree that Whits is now passed his best but he still works and tackles as well as most of the team. He will not be the one to let us down at any stage.

Hepher breaks fixtures down into blocks of games, each block could be 2, 3, 4 or 5 games. He picks his team and will not change that starting line up for the block of fixtures, even if a player has a mare, he will still start ! It is one cause of friction between players and coaches !

Quote:

fisher
I could not disagree more mommentum I agree that Whits is now passed his best but he still works and tackles as well as most of the team. He will not be the one to let us down at any stage.

+1 Please get off his back, guys. He's still got so much to offer.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

wuss 15 chiefs 45

Worcs 23 Chiefs 39

Another good win, Wuss always difficult opponents.
13 points: Dumnoniinomad;
9 Points: Mike the Shirt; Bold Eagle; Scottish Chief; Ouch that hurts;
8 Points: Cornwall Chief; Osmium;
7 Points: Andy15.1; Stokecanon; Moosechief;
6 Points: Whiptonchief; Currychef; Cully Chief; Chief Firewater; Lowerwatha;
5 Points: Plympton Chief; Keithbar54;
4 Points: Hankey; Ex58; Alain le Chief; Clalan; Broken Arrow; Rowancroft73; Not Manichean
3 Points: ExTedd Chief
2 Points: Mrs PC; Ljs399; Big Chief Little Chief; Lapo; Last of the Beercans; Exeterfan; Fisher; Seaside Chief
Hats off to the Wuss players, staff and supporters for a great display on all fronts.

Next week Quins at home. Having watched their match with Sarries not sur what to expect. Smith will probably be back for them but we should also be strengthened by our returnees.

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mommentum
When Whitten was in his prime he was a bench player, now he is past his best he is starting, which says where the club is a the moment,

bit unfair to say he was always a bench player! I believe that he has been selected so far to lead the defence. The two new guys are the only other options, so maybe that is the reason. Having said that I don't think he has been too shabby so far!

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Broken arrow
Hepher breaks fixtures down into blocks of games, each block could be 2, 3, 4 or 5 games. He picks his team and will not change that starting line up for the block of fixtures, even if a player has a mare, he will still start ! It is one cause of friction between players and coaches !

BA, not sure how you come t0 that conclusion!

1 season in the last 10 where Whitten hasn’t started 75% of games or more. He’s never been a bench player.

Whitt’s is a club legend and always gives 100%, but that is irrelevant. His defence and positional awareness is not what it was.
Tackle success figures.
Joe Marchant 90%
Andre Esterhuizen 86%
Nick Tompkins 88%
Alex Lozowski 87%

Ian Whitton 71%

I am sorry, but that just isn’t good enough.

We cant always take statistics as some do a lot of covering off the ball, we could critisise any player but chose to pick on some. 9 points in 2 games shows Ali is doing something right and his time at the chiefs has not been wasted considering he is missing some top notch players. RB will always be hard to replace but even Rob made selection decisions that seemed ludicrous . Lets get off these players backs and leave Ali to continue to do the job he has inherited .

Quote:

keithbar54
We cant always take statistics as some do a lot of covering off the ball, we could critisise any player but chose to pick on some. 9 points in 2 games shows Ali is doing something right and his time at the chiefs has not been wasted considering he is missing some top notch players. RB will always be hard to replace but even Rob made selection decisions that seemed ludicrous . Lets get off these players backs and leave Ali to continue to do the job he has inherited .

+1
That stat doesn't tell half the story.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Quote:

Blackwater Tribe

Quote:

mommentum
When Whitten was in his prime he was a bench player, now he is past his best he is starting, which says where the club is a the moment,

bit unfair to say he was always a bench player! I believe that he has been selected so far to lead the defence. The two new guys are the only other options, so maybe that is the reason. Having said that I don't think he has been too shabby so far!

For me, when Sam Hill, Devoto and Slade were fit they were starting ahead of Whitten. But they are not fit and that is where we are at this moment in time.

Quote:

mommentum

Quote:

Blackwater Tribe

Quote:

mommentum
When Whitten was in his prime he was a bench player, now he is past his best he is starting, which says where the club is a the moment,

bit unfair to say he was always a bench player! I believe that he has been selected so far to lead the defence. The two new guys are the only other options, so maybe that is the reason. Having said that I don't think he has been too shabby so far!

For me, when Sam Hill, Devoto and Slade were fit they were starting ahead of Whitten. But they are not fit and that is where we are at this moment in time.

Even then Whitts was quite often on the wing.

I think Sam Hill and Slade was a fantastic pairing for a couple of seasons. Im sure that Whitts wont be starting when Slade and Devo are back, but like you say, we are where we are.

Quote:

Blackwater Tribe

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Broken arrow
Clalan, Rob doesn’t pick the team, Hepher does and therein lies the problem.

BA, are you suggesting that Ali should be replaced?

I’m going to re-answer this question:
YES

I agree with BA

Our decline started when Ali has taken more control.

Our decline? We had one season where we finished higher than Worcester ever had. After a covid season where we won a double. This took an awful lot out of the team.
Now we are building the next group, time passes, bit of a knee jerk reaction to call for AH replacement.
Maybe I’m old fashioned and don’t have an agenda and believe in consistency. If we finish Seventh again you can all call me a fool.

We've won two out of two including one against last seasons champions and sit second in the table.

It seems absurdly premature to me to be calling for Hephers head. And even if he went, who would you choose to replace him?

Quote:

Not Manichean
We've won two out of two including one against last seasons champions and sit second in the table.
It seems absurdly premature to me to be calling for Hephers head. And even if he went, who would you choose to replace him?

+1

Rob has admitted mistakes were made last year and we lost our way in some respects. Even so we were no more than an odd penalty and a timely try at critical moments from a seventh consecutive playoff spot in a very open league with no fear of relegation.. The changes made to the coaching responsibilities give Rob the opportunity to address some of the issues, and no doubt focus on the significant number of contract negotiations and squad rebuilding required this year and next.

Rob has confirmed he is still coding the matches and analysing performance, and is still involved in team selection, Ali has confirmed he still works closely with/across the desk from Rob. They’ve always broken the season down into blocks of games and set points targets by block rather individual matches.

We’ve been on a journey, lived the dream; we’re starting another journey, it will never be quite the same, but hopefully the first step is to make Sandy Park a fortress again. If we do I’ve no doubt we’ll be in contention.