Faf leads the way for rejuvenated Sharks
PAUL Deacon strengthened his claims to be appointed Sale’s head coach on a permanent basis after leading the club to back-to-back Premiership victories.
The 41-year-old was promoted from attacks/skills coach and placed in interim charge following Steve Diamond’s abrupt departure last month.
Deacon began his reign with three straight defeats but he is beginning to make his mark and this latest success will give the club’s hierarchy food for thought.
Tries in either half from South Africans Faf de Klerk and Jono Ross proved enough for Sale to seal the win on a bitterly cold night in Salford.
Deacon, the former Great Britain Rugby League scrum-half, was also buoyed by impressive performances by England flanker Tom Curry and rookie prop Bevan Rodd.
Deacon, who side had won at Gloucester the previous weekend, said: “I’m not ecstatic with the performance to be honest, but I’m really pleased with the four points and to get two wins on the bounce.
“At the beginning of the game we played with some really nice shape but then dropped the ball or made a forward pass.
“They’re the moments we need to brush up on, but Faf is a unique player and when he’s hot he’s untouchable.”
Chances were scarce during a first half which saw Sale grow in confidence before AJ MacGinty’s penalty put them ahead.
In the 22nd minute, de Klerk seized centre stage, a role he seems born for.
The World Cup-winning South Africa scrum-half is blessed with skills that few others can match and his try laid the platform for victory.
After Marland Yarde collected Sam James’ pass and embarked on a strong run down the left flank, his progress was halted but de Klerk then went close with a crafty run down the blindside.
He was also denied, as was Coenie Oosthuizen, but de Klerk was quickest to collect possession and outfox the Worcester defence to dive over from close range.
MacGinty converted and then kicked a penalty but the visitors fashioned a spirited response and began to ask some questions of their own.
Two penalties from Duncan Weir cut Sale’s lead to seven points but in the closing stages the hosts scored again when Ross powered over from close range.
That looked set to deny the Warriors a losing bonus point but when Curry collapsed a maul as the final whistle approached, referee Wayne Barnes sinbinned him and awarded Worcester a penalty try.
There was no doubting the Warriors’ commitment but they lacked the quality to penetrate a resolute Sale rearguard.
Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas said: “There was nothing in the game and the players are really disappointed to have lost.
“Where did we lose the game? Probably through fifty-fifties in the air and a bit of ill discipline in the second and final quarter.
“But our defence was looking really strong and I was really proud of their players’ effort.
“We spoke about staying in the fight and we did that by coming away with a point – but it could have been more.”