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Rob Baxter admits booze-up cost Chiefs in brutally honest post-match interview
By Online Editors
Exeter Chief's brutally honest post-match interview after his side lost to Northampton Saints has been lauded by Lawrence Dallagio.
Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs lost for their second consecutive away game running as Northampton Saints edged a 31-28 victory on Friday.
Exeter were beaten at Harlequins late in November and they again come unstuck on their travels in a thrilling encounter at a raucous Franklin’s Gardens as the Saints climbed to fourth.
In a game that was back and forth at Franklin’s Gardens, Saints twice resisted ferocious fightbacks from the 2016/17 champions to pick up all five points.
However, Baxter's honestly following the match raised eyebrows, particularly his suggestion the team may have overdone it at their Christmas party.
“For me, the game was not about refereeing decisions today. I thought Northampton thoroughly deserved their win, and well played to them.
“We didn’t make it particularly tough for them, but at the same time they were prepared to fight at a level that was probably a little bit beyond us today.
“Although we fought our way back into it with some good periods, and our forwards got some dominance particularly at the scrum area, and we scored four tries away from home and got two bonus points, which is great, but it was really about Northampton playing better than us, and we have got to have a bit of a look at ourselves."
"Sometimes a Christmas party after beating Saracens potentially isn't the best way to prepare against a team that's gonna come at you with fight," admitted Baxter to BT Sport.
Lawrence Dallagio praised Baxter: "This is as it should be.....Just Brutal Honesty. I wish a few more of our Administrators,coaches, players and media would speak with this level of candour.
"No need to publicly name individuals but just the group as a whole including themselves as coaches."
Northampton made a sensational start with a try inside two minutes. It came from a counter-attack as Tom Collins burst through a gap raced forwards before finding Dan Biggar.
Exeter kept battling and eventually earned two bonus points thanks to a try from Matt Kvesic in the final play, but it was Northampton’s evening.
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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