Get ready for a thrilling journey as we dive into the remarkable revival of Exeter Chiefs! This story is all about the power of hard work, determination, and a little tough love.
When you join the Chiefs, Rob Baxter makes a bold request: promise to give it your all. And boy, did they deliver!
The Secret to Success: Sweat and Tears
Baxter's recipe for success? A heavy dose of fitness training. After a disappointing season, he knew his squad needed a wake-up call. So, they hit the beach for some intense running sessions, followed by shuttle drills under the Devon sun.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Exeter Chairman, Tony Rowe, stepped into the dressing room after a humiliating defeat. He laid down the law, and it was a public flagellation. Ouch!
"I've learnt that the things that work, work," Baxter says. And he's right! It's all about finding that inner drive to keep pushing when things get tough.
Henry Slade, a veteran of 14 pre-seasons, knows this all too well. He describes last summer's training as the toughest yet, akin to those grueling pre-World Cup camps.
And this is the part most people miss...
New recruit, Joseph Dweba, wasn't prepared for the intensity. Baxter recalls him standing on the beach, on the verge of tears, waving goodbye to a boat, wishing he was back in South Africa.
But fast forward to this year, and Exeter is back with a vengeance. They've built a hungry, gritty team, reminiscent of their championship-winning side.
The young guns of 2023, like Fisilau, are thriving in a season of hard graft.
Baxter's player recruitment strategy is an art. He compares it to farming, his family business, where spotting the right cattle for better pastures is key.
The kids from 2023, including Dafydd Jenkins and Greg Fisilau, have grown stronger, hardened by the challenges of the previous season.
On a stormy Tuesday, as Exeter prepared for their match against Bristol Bears, the team embraced the homespun nature of their training sessions. They're tough men, ready to battle through any conditions.
Last year, however, that fighting spirit was lost. Baxter's loyal lieutenants, Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher, were sidelined, and the team suffered a disastrous defeat against Gloucester.
It was a wake-up call, and Baxter identified three key moments in their revival.
The first came after a defeat to Leicester Tigers. Baxter challenged his young team to either give up or work harder. Most chose the latter, but it was a tough road ahead.
"The problem was the majority went the wrong way," Baxter admits. The team became unfit and flaky, leading to alarming defeats.
But Baxter learned from his mistakes. He stepped back from running the team, taking on more of an overseeing role. It was a tough decision, but it paid off.
Then came the Kingsholm incident. Rowe's rant was painful, but it was a necessary line in the sand.
"It was painful but it wasn't wrong," Baxter reflects.
Henry Slade also delivered some tough love, emphasizing the importance of work rate and effort.
And it worked! The team's attitude shifted, and they fought hard for every point.
"We started to keep pushing them about that [Exeter] DNA," Baxter says. "If you can't win, you draw. If you can't draw, you lose by a point."
The turning point came at Franklin's Gardens. Baxter's ice-cold words inspired the team to storm back from a 33-7 deficit to draw 33-33.
Since then, the team's confidence has soared. Fisilau, on the verge of England honors, and Len Ikitau, a classy recruit, have been instrumental in Exeter's success.
"The energy compared to last season has just completely shifted," Fisilau says.
Exeter is playing with a new-found intelligence, thanks to the input of attack coach Dave Walder.
"We invented [the five-metre pressure game], and they're just copying us better than anybody else," Baxter boasts.
The old-school vibe continues. After a win against Saracens, the team celebrated all the way home. It was a genuine, spontaneous joy.
And after a tight defeat in Paris, the players ran a court session before hitting the town. It was a perfect example of team bonding.
Baxter is proud of his team's progress, but he's not ready to hang up his coaching hat just yet. In three years, he'll have been Exeter's chief for two decades.
"I think you know when you emotionally don't care," Baxter says. And he's right! Succession planning is his next challenge.
So, what do you think? Is Baxter's tough love approach the secret to success? Or is there another way? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
