Curry orders Sharks to put on a killer show
BEN Curry wants his side to put on a performance that will turn part-time fans into diehard regulars when Sale Sharks take on Exeter Chiefs in this weekend’s only all-English European tie.
The match is a sellout at the AJ Bell Stadium today for this pivotal round three fixture involving the leading sides in Pool 2.
Very rarely do the Sharks come anywhere close to filling their 12,000capacity home and Curry is eager to make the most of the showcase occasion.
He told The Rugby Paper:
“We want to give the crowd a reason to come back, by getting everything right on game day. There’s so much to come from this team. We haven’t achieved anything yet, and we’ve scraped by so far.
“This is a game where we have to get everything right, there’s no room for being half-hearted. We can’t be good in defence but rubbish in attack; we have to be good all over the park.”
Getting the ball off Exeter will be one of Sale’s biggest challenges, given their propensity to dominate possession.
“When we do get that ball, it is about being clinical and accurate which is probably what we’ve been lacking,” said Curry, up for the challenge as always.
“There is no bigger competition than the Heineken Cup, and we’re playing one of the best teams in Europe.
“These are the types of games you want to play in.”
Other than missing the Bristol Bears away game after dashing to Japan to watch his identical twin brother Tom play for England in the World Cup final, the hard-working flanker has been ever-present in Sharks’ team this season.
In ten appearances, the 21-year-old has given away only three penalties, both a sign of his growing selfcontrol and a reluctance to part with any cash.
“It’s a big focus, not giving stupid penalties away, especially with the new high-tackle, seatbelt rule,” he revealed.
“We’ve got a £100 fine for any tackles like that, you won’t see many at Sale.
“It was one of the first things Dimes (DoR Steve Diamond) mentioned and he keeps mentioning it, because if you’re playing against a team like Exeter and you give a penalty away, even on their 22, they’re going to kick it to your 22 and you’re going to be mauled over your try line.
“We’ve got to keep that discipline and not let them go from 22 to 22.”
Life has returned back to normal for the Curry twins since their Japan sojourn but Ben, the slightly older of the two siblings, is paying the price for his brother’s newly-acquired fame.
“Some of the players at Sale, if they’re asked to get Tom’s autograph, they’ll get me out instead for a laugh. Most kids don’t know, I’m not too fussed.”