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Rampant Exeter Chiefs crush Newcastle Falcons

By PA

Reigning champions Exeter kept up the pressure on Gallagher Premiership leaders Bristol with a 12-try 74-3 demolition of Newcastle as the Falcons maintained their miserable run at Sandy Park.

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It was Falcons’ 13th consecutive loss in all competitions at the ground but it came as no surprise as they fielded a weakened 23, which contained five players making their Premiership debuts for the club.

Exeter’s win took them to within three points of Bristol at the top with two games remaining.

Bristol have to face Leicester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and then London Irish at home, with Exeter travelling to Northampton next Sunday before entertaining Sale.

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The Spirit of Rugby | Episode 3

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The Spirit of Rugby | Episode 3

Jacques Vermeulen and Henry Slade both scored two tries, with Sam Skinner, Sam Simmonds, Alex Cuthbert, Stuart Hogg, Harvey Skinner, Dave Ewers, Tom O’Flaherty and Joe Simmonds one apiece with Joe Simmonds adding seven conversions.

A penalty from Toby Flood was Newcastle’s sole response.

Exeter <a href=Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons – Gallagher Premiership – Sandy Park” />

It took Exeter less than three minutes to open the scoring. Neat passing sent Cuthbert away down the right flank to gain a platform in the opposition 22 from where the home pack drove over for Sam Skinner to touchdown.

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Flood put Newcastle on the scoreboard with a straightforward penalty before Chiefs scored their second. It was a replica of the first but this time number eight Sam Simmonds was the beneficiary to score his 20th try of a record-breaking season.

Despite having to play into a keen wind, Falcons were making a decent fist of frustrating their opponents with some resolute tackling but they were dealt a blow when Scottish international flanker John Hardie was sin-binned for a high tackle on Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons - Gallagher Premiership - Sandy Park

Exeter looked to have capitalised immediately when Simmonds crashed over from a lineout but TMO replays ruled out the try for an earlier obstruction.

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It mattered little as Exeter soon scored a third try when an angled run from Ollie Devoto provided Cuthbert with an easy run-in.

Devoto was also instrumental in creating his side’s bonus-point try when his well-judged kick was collected by Slade before Vermeulen forced his way over to leave his side with a 31-3 interval lead.

Four minutes after the restart, Vermeulen battered his way over for his second before Exeter brought on Hogg as a replacement for the lively Cuthbert.

Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons - Gallagher Premiership - Sandy Park

Fellow Lion Jonny Hill was also introduced together with international props Ben Moon and Tomas Francis as the home side rang the changes but it did not stop their momentum.

O’Flaherty made the running for Slade’s second with Hogg doing the same for Joe Simmonds as Exeter took their tally to 50 with over a quarter of the match still remaining.

Ewers scored Exeter’s ninth before Chiefs ended in style with further tries from Hogg, Harvey Skinner and O’Flaherty enabled Exeter to equal their record Premiership score.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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