News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs Match Preview

By Rob Leach
September 6 2012

After an encouraging win down at Kingsholm to kick-off the new Aviva Premiership season, Northampton Saints welcome Exeter Chiefs to Franklin's Gardens this weekend as they embark on their home campaign. Regular ComeOnYouSaints.com contributor, Bleach, takes a look at what we can expect on Sunday...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs EXETER CHIEFS

AP: Sunday, 9th September 2012 - 3pm (Sky)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

“Effort, urgency and hunger” – the injuns are in town

I sometimes tell myself that I really should grow up and start acting like those middle aged folks you meet, for example, I spend a considerable amount of time on the ‘open’ road as part of the day job and quite often see myself meandering past various Rugby outlets across the country. Recently, one of my journeys was a hop up to the Leicester Infirmary which is a nightmare to park at – I found myself parking right next to the Tigers and immediately found my self singing “who the hell are Leicester tigers” as I got out of the car booted and suited. A mature person wouldn’t behave in this manner. More recently, June in fact, we decided to spend a few weeks in Cornwall for a holiday ( big mistake but that’s another story ) it’s a long blinking drive as most of you travelling Saints know. As I meandered south down the M5 I first passed Sixways, and, being grossly immature saw myself putting the thumbs up as a measure of respect. Mrs Bleach told me to grow up and keep my eyes on the road ahead.

The M5 took us further South and soon we were deep in Tractor country which immediately prompted a respectful “Glaaaawwwwster“ as we passed the exit for Gloucester. Mrs Bleach once again telling me to focus on the driving. Luckily, as we passed through Somerset Mrs Bleach was nodding off and had given up on me – she eventually fell asleep. The M5 does go on and on but, the roads were relatively quiet and soon enough the signs for Exeter appeared. This initially prompted a gentle tap on the dashboard which became my tom tom, a reflex action saw me starting to chant the Tomahawk Chop (well, I think that’s what it’s called) – both were getting louder as we passed Sandy Park forcing Mrs Bleach to wake up in a jolt “What the hell is going on you idiot...grow up”. I suppose she has a point but I have this respect for Exeter Chiefs, I mean, they were never supposed to get promoted in the first place, they were supposed to get relegated straight away, they didn’t, they were then supposed to suffer second season syndrome, they didn’t, they were not supposed to qualify for the Heineken Cup – they did. Some doubters are now questioning whether growing the stadium to hold 20,000 is a good move – time will tell I guess. Exeter Chiefs will experience new challenges from now on – the squad will be fully tested when the Heineken kicks off and sooner or later players will be lost when they become Internationals.

It goes without saying that the success Exeter are enjoying has been created by several factors “Effort, Urgency and Hunger” words written by one of the Chiefs faithful supporters which summarise things as far as I am concerned, the club has ambition and are led by one of the country’s leading head coaches, Rob Baxter but backed up with a few unsung heroes including a certain Ali Hepher formerly of this parish – Baxter was recently quoted:

"We have worked on a few things over the summer and when you see us start seeing us score tries, you can see the good work that Ali Hepher is putting in," said the coach. "He often doesn't get talked about round here too much, but the truth is he works exceptionally hard and he's made a lot of good things happen here at the club. When you see some of the good, snappy stuff happen, that's come about from the work we've done in pre-season." – Rob Baxter , http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/20322.php

And yes, Exeter have worked on a few things over the summer including several additions to the Exeter Tribe including

Alex Brown from Doncaster W
Will Chudley from Newcastle
Kai Horstmann from Worcester
Dean Mumm from Waratahs
Carl Rimmer from Cornish Pirates
Damien Welch from Scarlets
Ian Whitten from Ulster
Jack Yeandle from Doncaster

The View from the Chiefs

As you know, in writing a preview I always try and establish what the ‘opposition’ are thinking about and so a few Googles revealed:-

The Fans view

“It’s going to be an interesting season for the Chiefs – written off completely and consigned to the drop before a ball had even been kicked in our first outing in the AP, we progressed to being assigned ‘second season syndrome’, which somehow failed to materialise! This season will be a tough challenge for us, no doubt, with Heino action sure to test our strength in depth to the full. Rob Baxter is looking for Exe to continue playing with the ambition that we displayed in the second half of last season – let’s hope that begins with Sale and continues thru’out the season. Black otter, sale preview”

“Effort, urgency and hunger summed up the Chiefs’ opening display against the Sale Sharks. Yes, there was the odd mistake, a dropped ball, a knock on, a wrong decision, but by and large this was Exe at their clinical best. We appear to have picked up exactly from where we left off towards the end of last season, with clear attacking intent with ball in hand allied to stubborn, aggressive decent – a potent mixture if ever there was one. “ Black Otter , Sale match report

The Commentators View

"The Chiefs will find it a tough act to follow last season's success, when they finished fifth in the Premiership in only their second year in the top flight, and reached the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

"That league success earned them a place in this season's Heineken Cup for the first time in their history, but a group that includes holders Leinster and top French side Clermont Auvergne will test Exeter's resources to the limit.

"Head coach Rob Baxter has made several additions to his squad to help with the extra workload, with former Australian international lock Dean Mumm and Fijian winger Watisoni Votu arguably the pick of them.

"Exeter have been handed a very tough start to the season, with fixtures against last season's Premiership top four inside their opening six games.

"History shows teams playing in the Heineken Cup for the first time often see their league form affected. Exeter will be hoping to buck that trend." BBC Radio Devon commentator Nigel Walrond

The Skipper’s View

When asked about the trip to Franklins Gardens, skipper Tom Hayes stated

"In two visits up there we've come away with just a point," added Hayes. "We know it won't be an easy game and we know we probably won't be favourites, but it's one of those challenges we have to face up to and we'll go there trying to be as positive as we can and see what we get from the game. "

“We know we have been in a game because Sale stretched us a few times out there. However, credit to all the boys because we worked very hard and we snuffed them out. Our cover defence was very good all day and that's another big positive to take into not only next week, but the rest of the season as well." Tom Hayes.

http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/latest-headlines?item=1824

The teams have met on 7 occasions with the Saints victorious six times:-

Apr 2012 Exeter 15 Saints 18

Oct 2011 Saints 33 Exeter 3

Mar 2011 Exeter 30 Saints 9

Oct 2010 Saints 27 Exeter 21

The Preview – Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs

The Chiefs will need a little more than Effort, urgency and hunger when they visit the Gardens on Sunday. Whilst, for many reasons, Franklins Gardens is not the Fortress it once was the new look Saints start the season without distractions and absent players. Yes, we have lost a few quality players but boy, what a squad we now have to choose from. I made one of my rare visits to C Block this week to watch the so called Wanderers demolish Leicester – I only managed the first half but for once, I was not constantly referring to the Team Sheet to identify the players – I knew them all which speaks volumes for our depth in numbers. I watched the opening game against Gloucester and observed a dynamic approach and a game played at pace – balls were offloaded, recycling was quick, the forwards dominated but some old habits re-appeared. It seems our biggest problem and challenge is that of discipline. You would have thought that after events on the pitch last year we might have learnt our lessons. It breaks my heart when I read comments made by Austin Healy which I agree with

“I think discipline has been their biggest issue. They lost key players at key times during the year, and you can't afford to have some of your best players not playing, especially when it comes down to the knock out stages, and I think they will have learnt from that. They are stronger as a squad this season and I think they are capable of mounting a serious challenge this year, I think they are a good outside bet." – Austin Healey

Maintaining discipline has to be part of our culture, at the moment, it isn’t, Anyone that saw Martin Roberts get sin binned on Monday would be forced to agree with me. Jim Mallinder may make a few tweaks but, I would imagine the same team that faced Gloucester starting again. Perhaps he may shuffle the bench around a bit in order to give some squad members some Premiership Rugby time as a few put their hands up on Monday evening. I think my wisdom was questioned earlier in the week with references to Norman, just my luck I guess but we must follow a star just like the bulldog breed and remember that the early bird is aware that a stich in time whilst on the beat manages the square peg. You heard it here first. Saints to win by 12.

I suppose the Exeter team will pick itself following a convincing win against Sale on the opening weekend. As they say, why fix it if aint broke. The Chiefs faithful comment:-

“If Scays has concussion and is on the mandatory break, I could see TJ switching across to openside with Ben White to the bench. If Haydn is recovered, I could see him taking Kev Barrett's bench slot, likewise Hoani Tui might pip Budgie for the bench. Otherwise, more of the same I suspect?”

“..injuries and recoveries from them will dictate any changes. Chudley did enough to merit another start even if Haydn is fit, Tui would replace Mitchell if fit but that seems unlikely. Scays was at the second's game on Sunday so probably passed the concussion assessment and will certainly start if that is so. Few of the second's players really pushed their claims on Sunday.”

“Given the mauling we got last year by Brian Mujati we need to play our strongest front row. If Tui is fit he should either start or be on the bench. Other than that the remainder stay the same barring injuries. Would not risk Hayden Thomas until he has a few games under his belt in the Braves”

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s548.htm?1098,13492526

And finally, for the Travelling Chiefs

An announcement from the Club was recently made to announce the improved Match Day Experience. The announcement promised:-

New food outlets in the Village offering a much wider range of options
A beer marquee 50 percent bigger than last season
The introduction of seating and covered areas in the Village
New caterers for the stadium as a whole
A greater number of bar and catering offers
A big screen 50 percent bigger than last season
An exclusive Eden Park outlet in the Saints Superstore

Its not for me to comment within this preview about the ‘new food’ outlets or bigger beer tents, you will, as usual, find most Saintly types enjoying Pre Match beers in the surrounding Pubs with the Thomas A Beckett and Foundry remaining favourites (other Pubs and venues are available). If you are travelling than have a safe journey – it’s a long way up that M5.

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs Match Preview

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 06/09/2012 11:37

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