Success is richly deserved, says Mumm

By Howard Lloyd
23/6/17

Dean Mumm believes that the culture, structure and ambition of Exeter Chiefs means they will win more silverware in the coming years.

The Australian lock – a firm fans' favourite in Devon after a three-year spell at the club – stayed up late to watch the Chiefs defeat Wasps and lift the Aviva Premiership title at the end of May.

Mumm, 33, has kept a close eye on his former club since leaving in 2015 to re-join the Waratahs, and he feels any talk of Exe struggling for motivation after reaching the pinnacle of domestic rugby is way off the mark.

"I wasn't surprised at all to see them win it. It's been a long time since I was there but even when I left I felt they could push on and do particularly well and they have managed to do that," said Mumm, who will hang up his playing boots later this year.

"The really exciting factor is how long they can sustain it for. I think it could well be for a very long time. They have achieved a wonderful goal – one they have worked very hard over a long period of time to get – yet there is an ambition to get more and prove themselves as a club. I don't see anything in the structure and culture of the club to suggest they can't carry on being successful.

"I saw Rob's press conference afterwards and he was obviously very happy but he very quickly flipped the switch to what it takes to maintain that and that is something I love about the Chiefs. The way they choose character as well as talent sees them put culture first, and that is crucial to build success over a long period of time. Given the structure of the club, the focus on developing their own talent and the way they have come through in recent years, I am never surprised by what that club can do."

Mumm – who plans to walk to the North Pole in aid of the charity Borne once he finishes playing – found himself in New Zealand on Waratahs duty on the day of the Premiership final.

The 6ft 5ins second-rower stayed up until the early hours of the morning watching the game, before catching up with the Chiefs on the bus journey back to Devon that evening.

"I watched the game," continued Mumm. "It was unreal. It was absolutely amazing to watch. I was in Dunedin and the final didn't kick off until about 1.30am local time and finished at about 4am.

"I could only get it on my phone so I was watching it on a tiny little screen but I was jumping up and down and going crazy –it was lucky I didn't have a roommate because I was making so much noise! I was so into it."

"I was hoping the game was going to be done after 80 minutes because I thought the Chiefs had done enough in the 80 to win it," he continued. "They just couldn't get the result that they needed in normal time, but I was very pleased to see them get there in the end. It was a terrific result for a wonderful club.

"Through the team doctor I managed to have a Facetime walk down the bus on their way home, which was pretty enjoyable. The boys were in good spirits and having a nice journey back with a well-deserved beer."

The club's achievements have not stopped there, with both Jack Nowell and Tomas Francis linking up with the British & Irish Lions for their tour of New Zealand.

Speaking about the Lions, Mumm felt a series win would likely be beyond Warren Gatland's men. However, he feels they have acquitted themselves satisfactorily so far.

Mumm said: "I want to the Lions to do well – I'm a bit sick and tired of the Kiwis doing so well. I've also been on the receiving end of it a few times so I want the Lions to do it. They have a really tough schedule and I think they have been doing alright. They're probably running at a pass mark at the moment, but not more than that. Their game against the Crusaders was terrific and that is exactly how you win against the Kiwi team, so if they can replicate that on a daily basis then they will do okay down here.

"At the moment I can't see them winning the series but I would love to see them go 1-1 into the final Test and then anything is possible.

"It's been great seeing Nowellsey going out there too. I don't think he's been playing badly but two starts and two losses was a tough start to your Lions tour. He is representing the club with tremendous honour though."