Exeter Chiefs coach reveals how Rob Baxter turned around fortunes and the ‘different animals’ that made it possible
Exeter Chiefs Henry Slade In Action During Exeter Chiefs v Saracens. Credit: Copyright Martin Edwards
Exeter Chiefs attack coach Dave Walder has praised the “huge effort” by his side in their PREM round 18 victory over Saracens on Saturday.
Sending the North London club packing at Sandy Park, the Devonians secured their place in the playoff semi-finals, lining up a mouthwatering tie against Northampton Saints next weekend.
Chiefs‘ success this season has greatly contrasted that of 12 months ago, when they ended their season in ninth place, their lowest PREM finish in history.
“This time last year, I walked off the pitch at 6 o’clock, got my car, and drove, and that was it. It was a pretty miserable place to be leaving,” Walder told the Chiefs’ social media team.
Determined not to repeat the failures of last season, the former English champions came out firing this time around.
“Rob [Baxter] made it pretty clear about what our goals were for pre-season,” he continued, “The players bought into it, and day one they all turned up in good shape; they were a different animal.
“Everyone had drawn a line metaphorically under it, and carried that into the start, and then that carried into the first few games, and we got a bit of momentum, and suddenly the group started believing.
“Every week it’s been the challenge of ‘how can we stay in the top four’, ‘how can we get back in the top four’, and fortunately we managed to do that today, and next week will be another tough challenge.”
Rest and repeat
Next week will be an entirely different challenge indeed. But if the Chiefs can bring the same energy as they did on Saturday, then they could be in with a chance of a shock victory over Bath.
“It’s about recovery, physically, mentally, as much,” he said, considering the lad’s ability to repeat their final day heroics.
“That was a huge effort today from the lads. I think we probably played a little bit nervously in the first half, understandably so. No one was doing anything other than trying their hardest.
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“We dropped a couple of things and let a couple of key balls go, and maybe could have even made it a bit more comfortable for ourselves.
“We’ve got to make sure we give the boys a couple of days to enjoy today, recover really well, and come in Monday, Tuesday, ready to go.
“Playing against the champions in their own backyard in the semifinal. Who could ask for more?”