Mumm wants Chiefs challenge

Dean Mumm: Excited by the challenge ahead at Exeter

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Having finally arrived in Devon, Exeter Chiefs newcomer Dean Mumm says he cannot wait to get stuck into life at Sandy Park following his summer switch from the Waratahs.

The 28-year-old left the Australian Super Rugby side to become one of eight summer signings made by Exeter's head coach Rob Baxter as he looked to strengthen his squad for the 2012/13 campaign in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup.

Mumm admitted that he felt "like a deer in the headlights" when arriving in the West Country, but claims that he is "really looking forward to getting started."

He added: "I'm really excited to get here at last and meet Rob Baxter and everyone. It has taken quite a while and being here was more of an idea. Now it's reality."

The imposing forward's career in England was delayed until this week as he still had commitments with the Waratahs and the Wallabies down under.

After eight seasons in Sydney, Mumm thought that the time was right for him to seek a new challenge in his career and admits the one offered by Baxter and the Chiefs fitted the bill perfectly.

Challenging

The Australian player said: "The time had come to try something new and the Premiership is certainly one of the top competitions in the world.

"It's the intensity and physicality of the competition, week in, week out. It's a war of attrition and you have to work really hard to earn your points.

"I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and it's going to be a real challenge for me. That challenge is the reason I came here."

Mumm also announced that he is excited to be given his first taste of European rugby with the Chiefs, as the team will be competing in the prestigious Heineken Cup for the first time.

He has previously played against Gloucester and Leicester Tigers during tours with Australia but he knows facing clubs on a weekly basis will be a different proposition.

"What I remember was that it was very physical and that sides pride themselves on their set-piece, which is great," Mumm said.

"I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in and finding my feet. Right now I'm a bit green to everything, but that is what excites me the most.

"I got to play with some great blokes in some fantastic stadiums, but now it's the right time to approach something new. For me, I wanted to get out of any comfort zone I had in Sydney and coming here will do that and hopefully make me an even better player."

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