Rob Baxter's 4 Worst Exeter Chiefs Signings Of All Time

Rugby News
Tuesday, 19 October 2021 at 17:57
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We all know that Rob Baxter is one of the greatest bosses in Gallagher Premiership of all-time and has made some truly fabulous signings.
Not only is he a serial winner, his player development is superb and his side play exciting and innovative rugby.
However, when you spend over a decade in charge of a rugby club, you are not going to have a 100% record within the transfer market.
Even the best in the business make mistakes, so let's take a look at some of the worst signings he's ever made.
Some of the players on this list have actually gone onto become stars after their dire stints at Sandy Park.

1. Niko Matawalu

The Fijian magician came down to Chiefs from Bath with huge expectations after impressing at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. However, off-the-field problems meant the scrum-half/wing only ever played for Exeter Braves, once in December 2016, without graduating to the first team.
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2. Nemani Nadolo

Signed for the club 11th Jan 2011 but was registered under his Aussie passport and therefore cost the club 2 points and £5,000 for fielding too many overseas players. He was then convicted of drink driving, banned from the road for 18 months, and released by the club in May 2011.
He failed to score a single try in his four appearances for the Chiefs. His career has done nothing but rise ever since so that's nice. Hopefully, he'll do much better with Leicester Tigers after signing with them for the 2020/21 season.
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3. Peter Kimlin

In 2013, the Wallabies forward signed a short-term contract to join the Exeter Chiefs during the 2010/11 season in order to get game-time prior to bid for a spot in Australia's Rugby World Cup squad, having missed 18 months of action with nerve damage to his shoulder. 
However, his stay in the UK with the Chiefs was cut short after suffering a knee injury in training with Exeter following a collision with teammate Paul McKenzie.
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#4. Chrysander Botha

The 26-year-old winger arrived at Sandy Park with a big reputation after impressing for Namibia, scoring seven tries in his six games prior to the switch. Never looking comfortable, he scored just one try in just six games during his two-year stint at the club. However, he did make a significant impact off the field with his fantastic community work.
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