Hard work pays dividends, says Horstmann

Kai Horstmann believes the hard graft being put in on the training field is now bearing fruits out on the pitch after Exeter Chiefs made it back-to-back wins in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.

The experienced back-row forward was part of an impressive Chiefs line-up that brushed aside visiting Worcester Warriors 57-22 at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs ran in eight tries during the game and recorded a maximum haul for the second successive week, having accrued a similar tally against Newcastle Falcons the week previous.

The victories have helped to position Rob Baxter’s side to within a point of the top four and has given them renewed confidence ahead of this Friday’s testing trip to Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium (7:45pm).

“There has been a definite sense of upping the intensity levels,” explained Horstmann. “And it’s good to transfer a lot of what we have been doing in training out onto the pitch and then seeing it pay off like it did in this game.

“Earlier in the season the players were hurting and getting frustrated with results and certain performances, but we knew we had to work hard, stick together and dig in knowing that eventually things would come right.

“I think we’ve seen over the last few weeks some really good signs of how we can play and that things are starting to come together nicely.”

Certainly Horstmann’s former club had no answer for the power, pace and precision of the Chiefs at the weekend.

“Being at home is important for us and we wanted a response, especially after the last game here against Bath,” added the 35-year-old.  “We wanted to write a few wrongs from that day and put in a decent performance.

“I thought from the outset we showed real ambition and played some great attacking rugby. Some of the skill levels were outstanding and it was a great game to play in. Our communication levels were right up there and when it’s like that, it then transfers into tries like it did today.”

Now Horstmann and his fellow Chiefs will be looking to build on the recent wins by notching up a third victory against the Sharks.

“Sale on a Friday night is a really hard place to go,” warned Horstmann. “They always like to make it hard for you up there and I’ve no doubt it will be the same this week. We know what to expect going there and what to expect from them, so we’ve got dig in all this week and put ourselves in a good position to tackle them head on.”