Exeter player ratings vs Racing
What is rare is wonderful and the magnificent ascent of Exeter from the lower leagues in England to the top of the tree in Europe is one heck of an amazing story made all the more special by the thrilling entertainment lapped up by fans who watched this Champions Cup final won by the Chiefs 31-27 against Racing.
Eight tries were equally shared but Exeter converted all four of their five-pointers while Racing only converted two, and those four missing points were what separated the teams at the finish.
For Exeter, it capped a remarkable rise to prominence. It was seven years ago in the Chiefs match programme against Leinster at the end of their first-ever pool campaign in the Champions Cup that owner Tony Rowe wrote: “I’m sure the lessons we have learnt from our various encounters in Europe this season will ultimately stand us in good stead in the long run.”
How very prescient… that was January 2013 and now in October 2020 Exeter stand proud as champions of Europe following a final that ebbed and flowed.
The Chiefs, who will now go for the double in next weekend’s Premiership final, got off to a flyer, tries in the opening 16 minutes from Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds putting them 14-0 ahead before Racing cut the margin to two with tries in reply from Simon Zebo and Juan Imhoff.
"Rugby is an emotional game. We got our emotions just about right today."
Rob Baxter was on the verge of tears before kick-off, so it's great to see him with a big smile on his face as a Champions Cup winner ?
What a night for @ExeterChiefs! pic.twitter.com/f65RZ5FVO6
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 17, 2020
Exeter had the last say in the first half, Harry Williams burrowing over, and while Zebo nabbed his second soon after the interval, Henry Slade’s try after Jack Nowell picked off a Finn Russell pass shunted them 28-17 ahead.
Racing weren’t done and after the gap was closed to a single point following a Camille Chat try and kicks from Maxime Machenaud, the match was decided in the closing stages with Exeter prop Tomas Francis in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.
With a man advantage, Racing piled on the pressure with 19 phases near the line but rather going for the lead-taking drop goal with around five minutes remaining, Antonie Claassen was penalised near the line after replacement Sam Hidalgo-Clyne got in over the ball.
There was still time for some comedic confusion, referee Nigel Owens consulting his TMO about whether the clock was in the red or not when Joe Simmonds’ last-minute penalty went over the crossbar. It was over the 80 and the final whistle sparked an incredible Exeter celebration. Here’s how RugbyPass rated the Devon club’s players on their memorable breakthrough evening:
15. Stuart Hogg – 6
It was a low frills performance for the high standards full-back, the action seldom enough coming the Scot’s way. Still made 17 metres off three carries.
14. Jack Nowell – 8
Began with the huge touch-finder that was the genesis for the territory that led to the opening try, and then set-up Slade for his early second-half score by pick-pocketing Russell. Needed running repairs for blood but finished a very worthy winner.
A moment nobody associated with @ExeterChiefs will ever forget…
Jack Yandle and Joe Simmonds lift the Champions Cup trophy ?
An incredible journey!#ChampionsCupFinal pic.twitter.com/LgDunp7OFK
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 17, 2020
13. Henry Slade – 8
Could have been in the bin when he scored in the second half, the midfielder getting away with only the concession of a penalty when he tackled high. That was a rare slip on a day when he was defensively resolute with Virimi Vakatawa in opposition.
12. Ian Whitten – 6
One of two changes to the XV from last week’s league semi-final win over Bath, his 200th appearance for the club ultimately produced a sweet result but it was sticky going at times. Initially played 58 minutes before giving way to a capable Ollie Devoto and then briefly returned while Nowell was in the blood bin.
11. Tom O’Flaherty – 7
So keen was he in getting involved that he was part of the maul that drove over Cowan-Dickie for the opening score. Believed he had secured a huge turnover before a stoppage led to a TMO review and the yellow card for Francis. A sweet runner, he clocked up his metres.
10. Joe Simmonds – 8
Looked so very composed compared to the errors that Russell made at crucial times. Perfect off the tee and excellent in asking Racing questions with moments of variety. For someone who doesn’t look physically imposing, he wasn’t shy of getting stuck in with his tackling, bravery that helped secure him the official man of the match award.
"To have my brother beside me is massive!"
At 23, Joe Simmonds just lead @ExeterChiefs to the summit of European rugby ?
He was joined by his brother Sam at full-time who presented him with the man of the match award ?#ChampionsCupRugby pic.twitter.com/HJPB95afUO
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 17, 2020
9. Jack Maunder – 6
Nearly had a try on 21 minutes off a Slade pass but he couldn’t get away from Racing prop Eddy Ben Arous’ last-ditch tackle. That was about the only time he was seen probing as he preferred the pass option. Replacement Hidalgo-Clyne will grab the rave reviews for his crucial penalty-winning intervention with Racing hammering away at the line.
1. Alec Hepburn – 7
Won a scrum penalty on 26 minutes to relieve some pressure at a time when Racing were fighting their way back from a poor start. Loads of heavy-duty work, the sort that nearly always goes unseen, before he was subbed for Ben Moon.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7
His first lineout throw was stolen but he was soon marching over at the back of a maul for the opening try on eight minutes. That set the tone for what was to follow, a rip-roaring forwards battle, but he left the fray with 25 minutes still remaining, enabling Jack Yeandle to get stuck in with his busy tackling.
3. Harry Williams – 7
Another who was hooked on 55 minutes but he was another who departed pleased as a try-scorer as he was excellent burrowing over from close range on the blow of half-time. Had clocked up a decent tackle stat when he left for Francis, one shy of double figures.
You just can't telegraph a pass around Jack Nowell ?
The @ExeterChiefs winger pounces on a risky Finn Russell pass and puts Henry Slade in under the posts! pic.twitter.com/D0MiZ6dwFb
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 17, 2020
4. Jonny Gray – 7
Took the lineout catch for the opening score and nearly had a try himself on 15 minutes only for the ball to escape his grasp. Battled hard but eventually gave way for Sam Skinner.
5. Jonny Hill – 8
Escaped a possible citing last week for a tackle on Taulupe Faletau and he made the most of that reprieve by being a nuisance here. A knock-on denied him a 13th-minute try, he was then caught static by Imhoff for Racing’s second try and was also at fault for the penalty that left it 28-27, but those errors never dimmed his brilliant enthusiasm for a grind where he was his team’s busiest tackler.
6. Dave Ewers – 8
Penalised on his first carry but didn’t take long to have a very positive effect, his attitude in defence of considerable help in ensuring Exeter weren’t denied their deserved moment of glory.
7. Jacques Vermeulen – 6
A quiet outing by his standards, the South African was another of the quartet that exited around 15 minutes into the second half. Fellow countryman Jannes Kirsten was a more than worthy replacement.
8. Sam Simmonds – 8
His scent for the try-line, which had been evident all campaign, materialised again on 16 minutes when he crossed but he was excellent on both sides of the ball and is surely in line for an England recall with this type of consistent form which post-game earned him the Anthony Foley award as European player of the year.
The @ExeterChiefs rise
95/96 National League Div 4: Champions
96/97 National League Div 3:
Champions
09/10 RFU Championship: Champions
16/17 Premiership: Champions
19/20 European Champions Cup: ChampionsSee you next week! @Steve_Parrett off in search of more red wine.
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) October 17, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
75 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
9 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
9 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to comments