Curry back to earth after final heartache
SHARKS STAR HOPES TO BE INSPIRED BY WORLD CUP DEFEAT
TOM Curry says he will probably never get over the disappointment of losing a World Cup final, but admits returning to a club environment at Sale has brought him quickly back down to earth.
The 21-year-old flanker enjoyed a huge tournament from a personal perspective in Japan but was unable to prevent England succumbing to a 32-12 defeat by South Africa in Yokohama.
“It will probably never go away but you don’t want it to,” Curry said at the Sharks’ training ground in Carrington in his first week back at training with the club since the tournament.
“That will definitely inspire and push you to better things and the experience gained was invaluable.
“Obviously winning would definitely be better, but you’ve got to take those experiences with you.
“There will always be an emotional attachment to it but you’ve got to push it to one side, especially when you are playing for your club, or you will do them a dis-service.
“That’s the challenge now, to push it to one side and definitely fully focus on getting better and playing well for Sale.”
The presence at training of Springbok scrum-half Faf De Klerk will provide a constant reminder of the World Cup final heartbreak, but Curry says the jibes have been coming from all corners.
“It’s probably everyone else rather than Faf to be honest,” he said. “I think that is probably what Sale are best at in terms of grounding their players. You get grounded very quickly coming back. It is good to get down to business.”
Curry and De Klerk will both be back in action for Sale in Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup round two pool match against La Rochelle at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Sharks are back in the big time in Europe and need a victory after losing their opening game against Glasgow last Saturday, although Curry says the importance of the match is irrelevant.
“I approach every game the same, to be honest,” he said. “Otherwise you’ll be up and down like a rollercoaster. So treat every game the same.
“I’m sure La Rochelle are going to be a great opponent to play coming back, so we’re going to have to be on the money this week.”
Meanwhile, Curry is hoping Eddie Jones will stay on as England head coach for the next World Cup after enjoying a remarkable introduction to the Test scene under the 59-yearold Australian, who is contracted up to 2021 but has made no commitment beyond that date.
“I don’t have a crystal ball – there are people in higher positions that make those decisions – but he’s been an unbelievable not just coach but mentor in that he keeps you in check and makes sure you’re getting better every day,” Curry said.
“As a youngster, learning from those people and being around not just him but the environment that he creates, is really special, it’s something he probably ingrains into you how you are as a player moving forward.”