Hunter happy as Chiefs seal the points
By Mark Stevens
10/5/21
Exeter Chiefs forwards coach Rob Hunter says it’s vital his side continue to ‘rack up the points’ as they look to maintain their play-off bid in this season’s Gallagher Premiership.
Having seen Sale Sharks leapfrog them on Friday night following their win over Leicester Tigers, the defending champions regained second spot - behind league leaders Bristol Bears - by dispatching visiting Worcester Warriors 41-10 at Sandy Park on Saturday.
Sam Simmonds scored twice - taking his season tally to 16 in the Premiership and level in the record books with Neil Back and Thomas Waldrom - as scoring the most tries by a forward in a season.
However, the all-action No.8 still has four regular games to go and he is setting his sights on the league’s overall seasonal record, which is 17 and held by winger Christian Wade.
Alongside Simmonds, Henry Slade, Dave Ewers, Stu Townsend and Jacques Vermeulen also found their way over the try-line as Rob Baxter’s men showcased their title credentials to the full.
Post-game, Hunter gave his assessment of the performance, stating: “When I looked at the forecast this morning, I’d happily have taken the win, so it’s great that we’ve managed to secure all five points. At this stage of the season, it’s important we continue to rack up the points.
“Obviously, it’s quite tight at the top, but at the moment we’re in control of our own destiny. It’s simple really, if we keep winning we will be in that top two, which is what we want.”
Visiting Worcester made the most of a strong wind at their backs to lead at the break 10-8 thanks to a try from Francois Venter and five points from Jamie Shillcock, but that was their sole reward on a day when they were distinctly second best.
“We we’re pretty calm at half time, not too much had happened in the first half,” said Hunter. “We talked about keeping our discipline because that was key in controlling territory. You saw with them they kicked a couple of balls off the pitch and the territory they lost because of that. In fact, we ended up scoring a few points off that.
“The good thing, though, was we kept calm, we stuck to task and although it wasn’t always pretty at times, we were able to get ourselves close and over the line.”
The headlines, however, belonged to Simmonds, who just 48 hours earlier was one of four Chiefs players - alongside Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jonny Hill and Stuart Hogg - to have been named in Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa this summer.
“The accolades keep coming for him and it’s fantastic for him,” added Hunter. “It’s testament, though, to him and how hard he works that he is getting all these plaudits. It’s easy to dismiss how good he is over the ball close to the line, but as has shown, he has been recognised for a lot more than just that.
“It’s a special achievement for him and it’s great for the other lads as well to get into that position. But, as I’ve said before, how many tries has Dave Ewers scored touching Simmo down. I’m pleased and I hope they keep doing it.”
With four in Gatland’s plans - and at least three or four others unlucky not to be on the plane - Hunter admitted it underlined the strides the club have made in recent seasons.
“It was a funny old day on Thursday, so different to last time when we were all in here and Nowellsy got his call up,” explained Hunter. “It’s a real shame some of our boys have missed out, but I’m also over the moon for those who are going. Some clubs have had numerous Lions for years, but this is a big deal for us as a club and as a group - and it reflects well on all of us.”