Exeter Chiefs
Time to get involved
Chiefs
By Noisy Chief
December 29 2011
Noisy Chief joins the ranks of Tribe contribrs with a preview of Chiefs v Quins
Time to get involved!
Ladies, gentleman & children in what is the first sale out of the 2011-12 season, Its time to get involved and get behind (as the pre match announcer would say) “your Exeter Chiefs”. But first a look back, as a fantastic 2011 rugby year says good bye.
As said on other posts what a year the Chiefs had in their first calendar year in the top flight, after a brilliant end to our first season the 2011 highlight was the Saints game and in particular the second half. I would love to know what was said at that half time!! So despite the odds & the critics the Chiefs finish eight just one place behind our next opponent Quins.
So this season started with a memorable win at Tigers, a brilliant start to the season which left us third on the 23rd of December. Let’s be honest when you add in so far, topping our Amlin Cup group which contains last years H cup semi finalists in Perpignan the boys have done us proud & with also second in the LV cup with the Braves (or united) side unbeaten in the A league, there is no doubt we are improving as a squad & team!
Last year Chiefs learnt some hard lessons up at Quins but turned it all around back at Sandy Park with an excellent win. This seasons game at the Stoop produced an tight win for Quins which marks another improvement on last year.
With both teams losing last time out this game should be an even bigger battle. The Quins game at HQ, losing them their unbeaten run in the league & Chiefs again coming back strong, this time to earn a point against London Irish. The mark of a good champion is how they react to a set back & Quins reacted brilliantly to the Toulose defeat in the H cup with a great win in Toulose so we have been warned!!!
I think the back row with be fascinating with Quins having the current England number eight in Nick Easter recovery very well from a disappointing world cup, The man expected to join him in an England shirt in the 6 nations Chris Robshaw, Maurie Fa’asavalu playing very well and hard hitting tackles that you would expect from an ex league player. With fast rising star Luke Wallace a man I expect to see in an England shirt by at least the next world cup. Chiefs also have good strength in the back row with James Phillips a one man battering ram playing so well, Richard Baxter also adding weight doing a good job at six, at seven the ever reliable James Scaysbrook, these guys I see having a real battle on their hands. Not forgetting Tom Johnson whom has not had so many minutes recently maybe he is not fully fit or paying for the rugby he played during the summer.
The scrum is another area which Quins this year seem to be giving an more stable platform to the exciting Danny Care & proflic Nick Evans. I think Chiefs need to hold an advantage in the front five if they are to win. With speedy and creative backs like Mike Brown a potential England full back for the 6 nations, add the speed of the likes of Ugo Monye it’s easy to see why we need to put the pressure on up front.
I am expecting quite a few changes from the Chiefs with the quick turnaround, as mentioned above the squad strength is very strong. I think its bypassed us how many good players we are missing the last few weeks with Chris Whitehead, Peter Short, James Hanks, Sireli Naqelevuki with Ben White now joining the list all were first choice when injured. Its a physical game but so far in the premiership we seem to have ridden our luck, helped by a fantastic team of physio's, fitness and other back room workers.
Its time to wish you ALL a very happy New Year, but don’t forget its time to get involved & make some noise & back the boys. The Chiefs enjoy & thrive off our backing, Sandy Park is a wonderful place to be with the Tribe Chopping & the players blowing away the opposition like against Saints last year. I think its a bit like what comes first the chicken or the egg?? The vocal support raising the bar or the noise from a wonderful try that sets it going?? Lets lose the extra few calories we have put on the last few days by getting behind the team.
Happy New Year & where better to spend it [Party at the Park]
NOISYCHIEF
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29/12/2011 22:22
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