Julian Salvi is happy to be let off leash
Salvi looked set to extend his four-year stay at Welford Road in March after tweeting he would accept the offer of a new contract. But Leicester denied any such agreement existed, sparking confusion among irate fans.
With a new chapter now open at the Chiefs, the influential Aussie openside is looking forward to a more open, attacking style of rugby and is delighted to be linking with former Tigers mates Thomas Waldrom and Geoff Parling.
Salvi told TRP: “It was a pretty tough departure with how it all played out – one of those unfortunate things that can happen sometimes in professional sport.
“I wouldn’t say there was a fall-out with (Tigers boss) Richard Cockerill, but there was a disappointing lack of clarity over my future and you reach a point where you want to be playing well each week and it’s time to move on.
“I was aware that Geoff had already signed and with Thomas there for a year already and playing so well played a big part in my decision when I became aware Exeter were interested.
“Seeing how well Thomas adapted to the new place was very persuasive and I’d spoken to Dean Mumm as well, who I played with back in Australia. To come and link with Thomas and Geoff can only be a good thing for me.”
Salvi is looking forward to playing a different type of game at Sandy Park, although he believes things may change at his old club under Aaron Mauger.
He explained: “Another element behind my move is the chance to work with Rob Baxter, Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter. It’s a change of coaching style, a new form of rugby and it’ll be a different approach to the way Leicester play.
“Leicester was a very set-piece orientated team and, as a forward, it was based on the scrum; to scrum for penalties and, from lineouts, driving mauls.
“Here it’s a bit more based on using your natural ability, the skills you were born with, and playing more of an attacking game, using fitness to outplay teams.
“Leicester have brought in a Southern Hemisphere coach in Aaron Mauger and I daresay you’ll see them throwing the ball about more, but there’ll still be huge focus on set-piece because that’s what they pride themselves on.”
While Tigers have made the play-offs for the last 11 years and been crowned Premiership champions four times since 2007, Exeter have yet to reach the top four.
But Salvi does not view the move as a backwards step, saying: “That’s definitely not the case. Exeter were pushing for top four last season and were close to pipping champions Saracens into fourth, so the potential is clear.
“With the additions we’ve made and a lot of really talented young guys at the club, there’s no reason why Chiefs can’t be top four.”
With Parling, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell currently with England, Salvi might be forgiven for sitting on the fence when it comes to the World Cup. But he is backing a Wallabies win, with fellow back-row destroyers Michael Hooper and David Pocock predicted to shine.
Salvi said: “Australia can win it and whoever finishes top of that ‘Pool of Death’ will go to the final.
“Employing both Hooper and Pocock is wonderful for Australia and you saw the effects of that in the first Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand.
“Pocock’s got superb ability over the ball and around the breakdown and is a real specialist in those areas, while in Hooper you’ve got some of that but also his immense ball-carrying ability and nous in defence.
“You might lose something in the lineout but if Australia can manage that they’re going to be outstandingly good.
“England and Australia will both go through and who finishes top depends on their match, but my money’s on Australia.”
NEALE HARVEY
