3Wheels gives a bullish prediction for Exeter Chiefs visit to Saracens at Vicarage Road
Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
Aviva Premiership 30th Oct 2010
Close but not quite close enough!
Thrilling, but with an air of disappointment!
Living on the edge!
4 times now, the Chiefs have proved their metal against the top teams in English club rugby, and to a man they have fought for the 6 points that they have earned against them. People have already sat up and taken notice of the new boys on the block, but how much more notice would they be taking if we had taken 9, 13 or 16 points from those 4 games!
This weekend we make the trip to Vicarage Road to the home of Saracens and Watford, in another search for the scalp of a top 6 AP club, Saracens currently 3rd in the AP.
Our squad is building in stature and working well together, with a few more strong, talented and experienced players waiting in the wings itching for the opportunity to show what they can bring to the party.
Our opponents have a squad filled with internationals, many from South Africa:
With the credentials of their squad, and with only one match lost out of 6, they will be favourites to take at least 4 points on their home turf, but with 135 points for and 110 against they have not overawed any of their opponents so far this season.
I have decided to put my doubts behind me this week, no I’m not going to hope for a losing bonus point if we play well, if the Falcons can get within 2 points of Saracens to grab a losing BP, then I see no reason why Exeter Chiefs cannot turn Saracens over, even on their own territory, especially with the Tribe in such good voice.
Exeter to win, I don’t care by how many points, 1 will do!!!
We don't lose many at home and you'll have to be on the top of your game to outmuscle us but no-one at our end is writing you off after your away displays against Leicester and Saints.
3Wheels, just noticed the bookies don't share your optimisim, you can get 11/2 with bwin for a Chiefs win - might pay for the train fare if you're right!
When the season started I wasn't sure what to expect but the win against Gloucester was more than welcome. I then travelled to Tigers and just for a minute when we went eleven points in the lead I thought we might pull off the surprise of the season but we lost by ten points and learned a lot about the Premiership. Then came Newacstle and I looked for a win and we were rewarded. I couldn't make the Saints game but I expected a drubbing so to lose by six points made my day. Had a great day out at Quins apart from the result and thats the only time we didn't turn up this season. And so to Irish and low and behold we lose by just three points and it was only experience that proved our undoing.
So we have now played four of the to five teams in the league and for a team of no hopers have actually done quite well so this weekend we might just get another win but if we don't I believe we will be pretty close. lets be having it, I love it.
Points machine Hougaard being injured should help as we seem to concede LOADS of penalties away from home. Alex Goode probably isn't as good a kicker but he is a talented boy. Should be big hits a plenty in the back row, particularly that crazy namibian dude Jacques Burger!
Each game in the AP thus far, win or lose, has been a massive learning experience for the players and coaching staff alike.
If we have learnt that giving away penalties is not a good plan (which we seemed to have done last week against Irish) then there is no reason why we cannot give Sarries one heck of a game.
With a large contingent of 16th men making the trip let us hope that Mr.V will have something to complain about on Saturday night.
1. Dion Carstens
2. Etienne Reynekke
3. Carlos Nieto.
4. Steve Borthwick
5. Mauritz Botha
6. Kelly Brown
7. Jaques Brown
8. E Joubert
9 Neil de Kock
10 Alex Goode
11 M Taki
12 Nils Mordt
13 KameliRatavou
14 Noah Cato
15 Chris Wyles
16 Jamie George
17 Matt Parr
18 Richard Skuse
19 HaydenSmith
20 Justin Melk
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Brad Barritt
23 David Strettle
Chiefs Squad
Arscott
Higgins
Dollman
Rennie
Foster
Davis
Thomas
Sturgess
Clark
Budgen
Hayes
Hanks
Johnson
Scaysbrook
Baxter
Truly amazing, was I right or was I right. Sore throat, really hoarse but oh so proud, one negative from today, I forgot to take advantage of the odds against us to have a flutter.
The tribe were truly amazing, so sad to see sarries fans leaving before the final whistle!!
Glad that the team made the effort to acknowledge our efforts as we saluted them.
Outstanding result for the Chiefs today, would be nice to make a habit of this feeling, so proud, another emotional day, I'm sure there will be more to come.
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