Match Reaction - Rob Baxter
By Mark Stevens
23/10/21
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, pulled no punches in his post-match assessment following his side’s 33-21 loss at home to London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership.
On a day to forget for the Devonians, they slipped to a second home defeat in three as the Exiles ended a 210-day wait for victory in the top flight.
Tries from Agustin Creevy, Curtis Rona, Benhard Van Rensburg, Ben Loader and Ollie Hassell-Collins sealed success for the Exiles, who, it has to be said, dominated much of the day’s proceedings at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs countered with tries from Will Witty, Stuart Hogg and Jack Nowell, but they were rare highlights in a performance that was far adrift from that which had seen last season’s beaten finalists beat Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Wasps in recent weeks.
Post-game, a frustrated Baxter gave his assessment of his side’s latest showing.
“I say it most weekends, you win the games you deserve to win - and you lose the games you deserve to lose, that’s how it felt today,” said Baxter. “London Irish got momentum in their carrying game and they certainly defended tougher than we did.
“When I go back and review the performance later on, I don’t think there will be too many areas where we came out on top of them. For me, it doesn’t feel like there were too many bright sparks in that performance.
“It doesn’t feel like a blood and guts loss and more like a loss where we have got what we deserve for some pretty poor play.”
Having trailed 14-0 inside ten minutes, the Chiefs hit back well to restore parity at the break. The second half, though, saw the home side again start slowly and it was the visitors who pounced to head back to the capital with maximum reward.
“The way we are starting game is certainly something that we are going to have to change if we want to be where we want at the end of the season,” added Baxter. “I know there is still a lot of the season still to go, but we can’t wait for things to happen, we have to perform now. And what today feels like is a day where we haven’t turned up.
“It wasn’t until we were two or three tries down in that second half that we actually looked like we wanted to get something from the game. Last season showed we could come back from similar positions, which we did at times, but today showed we couldn’t either.
“What we’re guilty of at the moment is getting into some bad habits about the intensity we need to start games and that is something we need to get out of sooner rather than later.”
Next up for the Chiefs is Friday’s trip to Gloucester, who themselves warmed up for the clash with victory over Newcastle Falcons at Kingsholm today.
“I’ll go away now and review this game tonight and tomorrow, then come Monday we’ll look at things and start to get ready for Gloucester,” continued Baxter.“Right now, we just have to get on with things, lock ourselves down a bit and just play some rugby. Right now, it seems like we are every reason not to be good, when actually what we need to do is just get on with things.”