Sale must cure travel sickness
SHARKS CHIEF WANTS PLAYERS TO REPRODUCE HOME FORM IN AWAY MATCHES
SALE Sharks’ director of rugby Steve Diamond has challenged his side to reproduce their home form away from the AJ Bell Stadium after they thrashed Gloucester 57-10.
Since narrowly going down to Newcastle in their first home match, Diamond’s side have followed up a dominant victory over London Irish with an even more comprehensive performance against the Cherry and Whites on Friday night.
Australian international James O’Connor touched down on his Sharks debut having come on in the second half with Sale 22-3 in front thanks to tries from Denny Solomona and Byron McGuigan (two).
Gloucester dominated possession in the first period, but could only muster was a Billy Burns penalty.
And the Sharks went on to control the rest of the match and completed the rout via Faf de Klerk, Solomona, O’Connor, Sam James and McGuigan, before John Afoa’s consolation.
After away defeats to Wasps and Saracens, Diamond is looking to take their home form to Harlequins.
“Everything we did in the week we managed to do today, we just need to put that form on the road,” he said.
“What we’ve got to do is bottle what we’ve done this week, what we’ve done before London Irish and take it to Harlequins.
“We’ve got a real team on our hands... but what I’ve stressed to the lads is why not have a crack at it this year?
“I know many coaches who say ‘it’s a three-year plan.’ It’s rubbish, let’s have a crack this year.”
Despite an excellent display, Diamond admitted they had faced a Gloucester side in transition under new boss Johan Ackermann.
He added: “It was a freak win really, they capitulated a little bit with all due respect to them.
“It’s difficult when you’ve gone five tries down as your heads do drop. It’s happened to us before.
“It’s difficult for Johan Ackermann, he’s come in and it is different. The southern hemisphere coaches, like the players, do take a little bit of time to adjust.”
The only disappointment for Sale came with the injury to England international Tom Curry, who Diamond believes has broken his arm following Willi Heinz’s tackle.