Rodd leads by example for Sharks
STEVE DIAMOND wants more Sale Sharks youngsters to follow in Bevan Rodd’s footsteps after the front-rower shone in the impressive 39-18 victory over Northampton Saints in their Premiership Rugby Cup opener.
The 19-year-old prop made his Sharks debut from the bench as a replacement for Ross Harrison on 60 minutes and immediately made a powerful impact on proceedings, including setting up a try.
A pair of veterans also helped steer Sale to the win as Simon Hammersley dotted down once in each half, while Rohan Janse van Rensburg’s intercept early in the second half broke Saints’ spirit.
“We’ve got a good squad – we’ve got strength in depth,” said Diamond. “We can afford to change the front row, we can give lads opportunities like Bevan Rodd.
“Bevan is a good ball-carrier, he’s a big lad whose been with us for a year and he’s humble and hardworking. There’s an opportunity, there’s a shot for him. Hopefully he’s got a big future.
“The younger players will get their opportunities – all they’ve got to do is what’s normal, what they did here.” Starting confidently at the AJ Bell Stadium, Sale kept play in Northampton territory and worked the ball to Hammersley, who darted inside off his left foot and spun over the line for Sale’s first try, with six minutes gone.
Sloppy hands by Northampton gifted Sharks a scrum on the Saints five-metre line and a brilliant push earned Sale a penalty try.
Nearing half-time, Saints broke through the Sale line and quick hands saw the captain, Teimana Harrison, cross the line to narrow the deficit to 15-8 at the break.
Northampton started the second half strongly, until an intercept try by Janse van Rensburg pulled Sharks further ahead and, moments later, the South African deftly passed to Chris Ashton, who went over for another score.
Saints’ misery was compounded when Akker van der Merwe scored after Rodd brilliantly off-loaded out the back of his hand and then it was Hammersley again who jaunted over following a wonderful lofted pass. An Alex Coles try towards the end of the game saw Northampton close the gap but that couldn’t dampen Sharks’ spirits as they head to Saracens next weekend.
Manu Tuilagi powered England to a winning start as their World Cup was launched with a 35-3 victory over Tonga CHELMSFORD CITY