Chudley also a big Chief now
Exeter Chiefs have added another new face to their ranks for the 2012/13 campaign with the acquisition of Will Chudley from Premiership rivals Newcastle Falcons.
The 24-year-old scrumhalf is Rob Baxter’s fifth new arrival at Sandy Park following the earlier captures of Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Ian Whitten (Ulster), Alex Brown and Jack Yeandle (both Doncaster Knights).
Commenting on the arrival of the Bedford-born No.9, Baxter said: “Will is a guy we have been tracking for a number of seasons. We were initially looking at him when he was doing very well in the Championship with Bedford and we’ve followed his progress ever since he moved to Newcastle.
“He’s a player who likes to make breaks and play with a bit of tempo, so he’s just the kind of player we like here. At the same time, though, we feel he can still develop even further and that he can push the current guys we have here at the club.
“Scrumhalf is obviously a specialist position, a very important position in the side, and it’s kind of the heartbeat of what we do as a club. We feel Will has the raw materials and the potential to do very well and a guy we feel we can really develop into something special.
“He has a lot of good attributes to his game; he’s a good character and I know he will fit in well here. He’s a humble, hard-working guy and I know Ricky Pellow is really looking forward to working with him. I’ve no doubt Ricky will really help develop his game and that he will add something to the group.”
As Baxter has proved during his tenure in charge, he is never afraid to promote players who have shown their worth in the Championship.
Since making his debut for his hometown club during the 2007/08 season, Chudley amassed over 50 first team appearances for the Blues before he was snapped up former Falcons’ head coach Alan Tait last summer.
This season Chudley has featured 14 times for the Falcons in both the top flight and in Europe, battling it out for the number nine jersey alongside the likes of Jordi Pasqualin, Chris Pilgrim and Irish international Peter Stringer.
Baxter added: “We’re comfortable with people who have performed well in the Championship, as Will has done in the past. And, as I said, we’ve watched him closely for some time now and since moving to Newcastle you can see he’s gone on and progressed even further.”
With the experienced Haydn Thomas, Kevin Barrett and Junior Poluleuligaga all contracted for next season, Chudley’s task of breaking into the Exeter first team squad will be no easy matter.
“For Will it’s up to him to fight and try and push into that match-day squad,” said Baxter. “We’ve not brought him here to sit on the bench and not play any rugby. He’s aware he’s got to come in and fight for his place like any other person. It’s a short contract for him, but we know he’s coming here to fight for something longer term. That makes it exciting for him and it makes it exciting for us as well.”
Certainly Chudley is relishing his move to the Westcountry, stating: “I’m over the moon to have signed on with the Chiefs. I’ve played against Exeter a few times in the past and I know what a great club and great set-up they have down there.
“Obviously the club have had a great year and next season promises to be even better for them, so it will be great to be part of it all. All the reports I’ve heard about the place have been very positive and you often here about the great work ethic they have within the squad.
“The good thing for me is that I know one or two of the boys already, like Myles Dorrian from my days at Bedford, so I am sure will help me settle in a lot quicker.”
For now, though, Chudley says his immediate thoughts are firmly focused on Newcastle attempting to preserve their top flight survival.
He added: “I’ve had a really good year up at Newcastle. The coaches have been fantastic with me, as have all the boys, and I’ve definitely improved my game from moving that step up in levels. Although I’m excited about my move to Exeter, my focus right now is on that last game for Newcastle against Wasps.”
