Sharks finding fun factor in pain game
ALEX Sanderson claims his “sadomasochistic” Sale Sharks are geared up physically and mentally to succeed on both domestic and European fronts as the intensity starts to ramp up.
The director of rugby believes the squad he inherited from Steve Diamond has the same crucial traits as the Sale one he began his playing career with 23 years ago, and the Saracens outfit he helped turn into such a dominant club force.
“What’s great about this team is they love the struggle and the fight as much as they do the triumph,”
Sanderson said. “And if you have that in your players then you have a special group at the club. I really believe we have that here.
“There are parts of this team that speak my language. It’s the language I spoke when I was here first time before I went to Saracens. It’s one of intensity, physicality and work rate... dominating the opposition and finding some fun and enjoyment out of that sadomasachism factor.
“It’s about wanting the pain and giving the pain! These boys relish that!”
Sanderson has led the team to six wins from nine games including victories over pace-setters Bristol and Exeter since taking over the hot seat.
Sharks face a tough trip to Scarlets today eager to take that impressive league form into Champions Cup battle knowing the last 16 clash of a revamped competition will be another stern test of their trophy chasing credentials.
“There’s tremendous belief growing,” he adds. “We’re in a very good place and the next few weeks and months could be an exciting time for the club with so many huge Premiership games ahead, and hopefully a few in Europe.
“I was lucky to be given the chance to do something brilliant with these boys and you can almost feel the excitement, the confidence and the belief beginning to rise throughout the whole squad and coaches. It’s a great place to be right now, and we want to bring success to the club.
“If you want to compete at the highest level you need the most dominant forward pack in the competition. I’m not saying we have that yet but we are getting there. You have to use the scrum and the maul as a weapon, and we are doing that.”
Sharks are certainly up for a scrap these days having picked up plenty of yellow cards along the way – 15 overall including seven in the last two games – and Sanderson realises self-control and discipline will be crucial today.
“I’m looking forward to the different challenge especially after the momentum we’ve built in the last couple of weeks,” he said. “We have to get our heads round how special the Champions Cup is and that every game is a final now. They are all knock out games.
“In terms of the discipline aspect, It’s a really fine line. Every game seems to be a sin bin or two!
“We are top of that particular leader board and have to improve upon the way we do things but you want to dominate and want to tackle around the centre of gravity, which is the chest. Everyone has to learn to tackle a little lower.
“You want to have that intensity and aggression as well as discipline! I don’t want to take anything away from that emotive, physical team which I am lucky to be a part of. But we have to be a little more disciplined.”