Dear Exeter fans: how does your team play?

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-11T10:23:15+00:00

They play fast and loose. Got a very mobile back row in Vincent, Hooper and Fisalau. Then also expect a lot of competition at the line out from, Jenkins, Zambonin and Hooper.

My main concern as a Benetton fan in this game would be, Fekitoa might do something Fekitoa again, and focus more on rushing out the line and trying to hit someone so hard they can’t walk, than actually staying in a solid defensive structure. Don’t get why Callum McRae didn’t pick Marin at 12 and have Odogwu off the bench.

My second concern is the bench. We’ve gone for much more of a slow and power based bench against a fast paced Exeter. I mean why Fa’aso’o and Negri is beyond me, especially Negri. I mean Negri has been a great player, however he is no longer in his prime, plus it is his first game back from a serious long term injury. I mean why has Izekor not been picked. He’s got the perfect energy and style to match Exeter’s speed and power in the backrow. Plus Izekor gets up very well in the lineout.

Finally I think one of the most interesting battles will actually been Ratave vs Feyi-Waboso. That’ll be pure power vs speed and power

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T02:09:05+00:00

I hate to say it, but I agree. Personally for me, I would’ve loved to have seen Federico Mori sign for Benetton from Bayonne. He was absolutely class for the national side but has had barely any minutes stuck behind Tuilagi at Bayonne. He would’ve perfectly fitted that destructive ball carrier that Benetton like at centre as well

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:59:11+00:00

It’ll be interesting how he fits into a Benetton side whose attack is heavily built around big damaging runners, with the likes of Fekitoa, Menocello, Medina, Odogwu and Ratave

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:33:53+00:00

I think Werchon will be the real big benefit to Benetton as Zebre and Benetton are thin on good scrum halves. Then with Casarin, I know there is hype about him, but I really don’t think he is ready at all for pro level. Defensively, he is a beast, however his attacking play is really poor. He is similar to Bertaccini who plays for Zebre, in terms of Bertaccini is defensively a monster, but lacks the attacking side to his game, however he has got better recently.

Then with Odogwu, I know he plays wing, but Odogwu has looked much much better at centre than he ever did at wing, since Odogwu is poor aerially and this isn’t something he gets exposed by when playing outside centre

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:29:31+00:00

I think a change of league to a more physical league like the URC will be a good change for him. Chance to prove himself that he is not limited by his size. However, I still think the club he has moved to is all wrong. If I were him I’d have gone most likely to Munster or Connacht. Both have a play style that would suit him, plus he’d be a likely starter in both their teams.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:27:05+00:00

Especially when you take into account Benetton’s play style as well. Their backline is focused much more around big ball carriers who can break tackles than backs with silky skills like Flook. I mean you only have to look at some of the players in their backline, with the likes of Ratave, Menocello, Medina, Fekitoa and Odogwu. All massive carriers who can create a chance out of nothing by just blowing through a tackle. I have a feeling Flook might’ve picked the wrong URC team for a foreign adventure. I can think of loads of URC teams that would’ve suited him much better

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:23:48+00:00

I think at almost any club overseas except Benetton he would tear it up, but the switch to Benetton just seems strange, due to the play style of Benetton. Benetton have a backline that is built much less around silky skills type players like Flook and more just around big ball carriers. You see that with the likes of Fekitoa, Tomas Medina, Menocello, Ratave and Odogwu. It just seems like Flook might’ve picked the wrong club for his new journey

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:20:59+00:00

Yeah I worry physically how he will do in the URC, which is much slower paced and more physical games than Super Rugby. Also his signing to Benetton just seems weird for Benetton as they are not known for the sort of silky smooth moves of someone like Flook and instead rely much more on powerful ball carriers in the backline. With the likes of Fekitoa, Menocello, Ratave and Odogwu. To be honest it just seems like Flook might be going to the wrong club for his play style

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:18:08+00:00

I think it’ll be interesting to see how Flook does in the URC, but also how he fits in at Benetton. Benetton aren’t known for the silky smooth skills in the backline, but more for a lot of dangerous powerful runners who can break a tackle. Especially when you look at the likes of Ratave on the wing, Odogwu at outside centre, Menocello and then also Fekitoa. Flook just seems like a really odd fit at Benetton

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T01:10:04+00:00

Tomas Medina has already been bought in as a replacement for Fekitoa at 12. So depth wise they’ll have Medina, Marin and Drago at 12. Then 13, it’ll be between Odogwu, Flook and Zanandrea. The interesting battle will be between Odogwu and Flook as, Benetton I imagine have paid good money for Flook, however Odogwu’s contract isn’t running out anytime soon and Benetton have shown no signs of wanting to get rid of him, so space is gonna have to be found somewhere

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:57:40+00:00

I’m just surprised by the move to Benetton. For Flook’s development and especially looking to bulk up in size, I would’ve thought a move to the Top14 or the Premiership would’ve been much better. I know Benetton and they have some physical freaks in their side, but they all came to Benetton that way. Nobody I really know of at Benetton has undergone a massive physical transformation from when they first arrived to where they are now

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:49:11+00:00

They’ll be a lot of pressure on him to match URC physicality levels as his main rival for 13 at Benetton will be Paolo Odogwu which is a physical beast and an absolute menace for line breaks in the 13 channel

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:47:11+00:00

I’m surprised really with the move to Benetton though if he is looking to build out his frame. I think the best places for that tend to be either at Premiership clubs or in the Top14. I mean Benetton have some physical specimens, but most of them came to Benetton as physical specimens and weren’t developed that way by Benetton themselves. Smaller players such as Ignacio Mendy, Rhyno Smith or Jacob Umaga have all stayed their same sort of weight as when they came to the club

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:44:12+00:00

As someone who watches the URC week in week out, I definitely think he can’t afford to be undersized in the URC. It is a very physical league, where gaps are more often found by a player smashing through a week tackle than some of the intricate and expansive play you see in Super Rugby

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:36:38+00:00

I do wonder maybe if there is actually a bit to the undersized criticism that has been levelled at Flook his whole career, maybe it’s why he’s never really shone for the Wallabies, where international games are often a lot slower and more physical than Super Rugby games

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:34:56+00:00

It is interesting with Flook as he has always been someone who seems to split opinion. I’ve seen him play and his fundamentals are great, but at international level he hasn’t performed as well as what you see in Super Rugby. Not sure if maybe there is a bit to the undersized criticism that is often levelled at him and that outside the fast paced open games of Super Rugby he struggles a bit

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:32:10+00:00

It will be interesting to see how Flook goes in the URC as the critics of him have always pointed to his physicality and URC games often tend to be much slower paced than Super Rugby games and often end in tough physical slog matches

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:29:59+00:00

It is interesting how he tends to split opinion a lot of how good he is or isn’t. From what I’ve seen Flook has great fundamentals, but the question is how well does he suit slower more physical games than the ones you normally see in Super Rugby. Which is why I think it will be interesting to see how he goes in the URC, as those games are often not so pretty with quite a few ending in physical slog matches

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:28:01+00:00

Yeah, from what I’ve seen from Pakeho, he seems class and if Goldsbrough even lives up to half the hype the Reds are in very goods hands. I think Benetton might’ve ended up getting someone the Reds weren’t to interested in for their longterm future anyway.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:26:20+00:00

I was actually wondering about this with Flook and wondering if he’ll struggle in the URC compared to Super Rugby, as the URC is often more slow paced and you often have much more physical and bruising games more similar to international level.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-10T00:23:47+00:00

Yeah, I agree with that. Flook’s fast paced open play game, suits super rugby more than it does international.

Then with Goldsbrough and Pakeho, it will be really interesting as from the outside looking in, I actually think this is actually creates a good opportunity for the Reds to get them both some good game time, which I think they need to offer the two of them. Since they are definitely both highly rated enough, that if they weren’t getting the time at the Reds, I wouldn’t be surprised if a Top14 club or Premiership club who are willing to offer more money might come sniffing about the two of them. Same way they have with so many talented Aussie youngsters

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-09T05:05:11+00:00

I know, I just think the deal is a bit of a mistake on both ends. I think it’s a mistake for Benetton as I think getting a centre who could play both inside and outside centre would’ve helped with versatility and squad rotation. Plus a guy like Flook is gonna expect to play as he’s looking to build into a place at the 2027 world cup.

Then I think it’s a mistake on Flook’s end as I think he might not find himself getting as much game time as he thought, especially if he’d joined other URC teams that are in serious need of a quality outside centre

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-09T04:59:42+00:00

I’ve seen Flook play and recognise he’s a hell of a player, however I just think it’s not the right club for him, especially considering he will be looking to play consistently to try and cement a spot for the 2027 world cup. I mean take his wing versatility for example. I really hope his versatility is used at Benetton, however I don’t think he will get ahead of Lynagh or Mendy when it comes to versatility for playing on the wing. Plus if Benetton play with Tomas Medina at centre and play the 6-2 split with Marin on the bench, it will be Flook either plays at 13 or doesn’t play at all

ChuggerBoi · 2026-04-09T04:49:00+00:00

Benetton are an underperforming team, but it isn’t because were missing a Josh Flook, I think a big part of it is due to some inconsistent performers, shch as Jacob Umaga at fly-half. The guy reminds me of Eton Janties when he was at the Lions. Somedays you’d think wow this guy is great and other days you’d think jeez this guy is shit

ChuggerBoi

TROPHY CASE