Chiefs top OPTA stats in Cup

By Steve Grace
1/2/17

Michele Campagnaro’s hat-trick stole the headlines in Exeter Chiefs’ Anglo-Welsh Cup humbling of Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Wasps, and according to the OPTA Rugby Rankings the Italian put in an all-star display all over the park.

Harlequins and Leicester Tigers marched into the semi-finals with wins over Worcester Warriors and Northampton Saints respectively, but Rob Baxter’s Chiefs put in the performance of the weekend to outclass Wasps in a 52-5 triumph.

Campagnaro crossed the whitewash three times, but also gained a whopping 175 metres from the five clean breaks he made.

The 23-year-old’s massive haul propelled him up to second on the overall metres-made charts for this year’s competition, and to the top of the breaks standings.

Exeter team-mates Ben White and Sam Simmonds also impressed in defence, making 22 tackles apiece in Round 3 to halt the usually free-flowing Wasps attack in its tracks.

Dai Young’s side showed a clear desire to run the ball as much as possible, with Alex Rieder and Brendan Macken topping the week’s charts for carries with 25 and 22 respectively – the former gaining 123 metres in total, the third-most of anyone during the gameweek.

Rieder also managed to beat six defenders on his travels, the same as Exeter’s Simmonds and Leicester’s Jack Roberts, but Chief James Short topped that particular category with seven.

Bath Rugby’s Paul Grant also beat seven men in an imposing performance at No.8, as Todd Blackadder’s side were held to a remarkable 17-17 draw by Gloucester Rugby.

Skipper Guy Mercer also caught the eye in that match with 17 tackles made and three turnovers won – the joint-most of anyone this week.

Sale Sharks’ Bryn Evans ruled the skies last weekend and was out on his own with eight line-out wins, while winger Denny Solomona continued to go from strength to strength since his rugby league switch in their dominant 41-3 victory over Cardiff Blues.

The Kiwi added another try to his impressive tally so far this season, but was also a lynchpin in defence with three turnovers won, while Byron McGuigan made four clean breaks and 91 metres.

Tackles
Ben White (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) – 22
Morgan Sieniawski (Cardiff Blues) – 19
Guy Mercer (Bath Rugby) – 17

Carries
Alex Rieder (Wasps) – 25
Brendan Macken (Wasps) – 22
Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers) – 21

Metres made
Michele Campagnaro (Exeter Chiefs) – 175
Matt Gallagher (Saracens) – 158
Alex Rieder (Wasps) – 123

Defenders beaten
James Short (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Grant (Bath Rugby), Harrison Keddie (Newport Gwent Dragons) – 7
Alex Rieder (Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Roberts (Leicester Tigers) – 6

Clean breaks
Michele Campagnaro (Exeter Chiefs) – 5
Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks), Bryce Heem (Worcester Warriors), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets) – 4

Turnovers won
Guy Mercer (Bath Rugby), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks) – 3