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Rieder stretchered off as Wasps extend Chiefs' slump

Marcus Watson scores for Wasps against Exeter

Wasps edged an arm wrestle with Exeter Chiefs to beat the reigning Premiership champions 13-7 at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

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Marcus Watson’s converted try and two Jimmy Gopperth penalties were enough for Dai Young’s side to inflict Exeter’s third league defeat in succession.

Saracens had already deposed the Chiefs, beating Sale Sharks 13-3 away from home on Friday to claim top spot.

And Wasps’ win saw them close the gap on the second-placed title-holders to four points, although it may have come at a cost, Alex Rieder having suffered a potentially serious knee injury in the second half.

 

The home team benefitted from some good fortune to open the scoring in the 14th minute in Coventry, the match officials failing to spot a knock-on from Guy Thompson during a scrum, allowing Watson to cross in the corner.

Danny Cipriani converted and Exeter’s problems were compounded when Jonny Hill was shown a yellow card for a tip tackle on Willie le Roux during the build-up to the try.

A Gopperth three-pointer extended Wasps’ lead early in the second half when the Chiefs were caught offside.

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And there was a lengthy delay as replacement Rieder, who had only just returned to fitness from a dislocated shoulder, was taken from the field on a stretcher after appearing to hyperextend his knee.

Wasps then lost Ashley Johnson to the sin bin for a high tackle and Exeter pounced, Luke Cowan-Dickie powering over from a penalty on the five-metre line and Gareth Steenson adding the extras to make it 10-7.

Gopperth settled the hosts’ nerves, though, kicking a penalty in the 77th minute to seal the victory after the Chiefs accidentally kicked the ball away in a ruck.

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Nickers 25 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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