Manu’s back to provide firepower off the bench
AFTER a win against Leicester and a manof-the-match display, a complete 80-minute performance from Sale is next on Daniel du Preez’s wish-list.
The Sharks vowed to rid themselves of their tendency to drop off in the second half of games leading into the Tigers clash, and they succeeded, winning 35-26 last Sunday.
However, they forgot to play in the first half and had to come back from 18-5 down at half-time to do so, Leicester surrendering their biggest lead in Premiership history.
“At the moment we are struggling to play a game of two halves but on the weekend we definitely kicked on in the second half and pulled it through in the end,” said the No.8.
“Beating Leicester has definitely given the guys a big boost. We have been working hard but we are striving towards an 80minute performance.
“At half-time, we spoke about discipline as something we needed to fix, Jono (Ross) put it to us that we needed to front up and take them on physically because we were giving the gain line up too easily.
“The crowd were great, it was almost a sell-out, and we appreciate their support.”
Further confidence can be taken from the presence of Du Preez’s countryman, Faf de Klerk, and England star Manu Tuilagi in the Sharks’ travelling matchday 23.
Both returning players make their way onto the bench and Tuilagi, should he get on, is in line for a seismic clash with Quins’ No.12 Andre Esterhuizen, and that’s after the equally powerful Rohan Janse van Rensburg has attempted to soften the Quin up first.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Manu, he’s wonderful guy,” said du Preez. “He is one of the most hard-working players I have worked with. His ball carrying ability is incredible, he gets us on the front foot, and his ability to stop momentum on ‘D’ is also something that is quite incredible, too.”
Du Preez is not shy of the physical side of the game, either. The 26-yearold, who is 6ft 4in and 17st 6lbs, averages 15 carries per game in the Premiership and gets over the gain line more often than not.
“I am happy with the way I am playing, I don’t think it is always down to me – it is down to the guys around me who help me play the way I am and make me look good,” he said. “I try and get myself in as many plays as possible and just try and help the team as much as I can on attack and on defence.”
The good news for Sharks fans is that the South African, who has also scored two tries in as many games, insists he is not going anywhere at the end of the season.
“I have signed on for a few years so I will definitely be at Sale (next season),” he said.
While Sale are able to include two marquee players in Tuilagi and De Klerk as well as England internationals, Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd, with only the new England captain Tom Curry away, Quins are missing two talismen.
Fly-half Marcus Smith and No.8 Alex Dombrandt were in England’s Calcutta Cup matchday 23 and are replaced by Tommy Allan and Archie White.
“They do make a big difference but I think any side Quins put out will be a very competitive team,” said Du Preez. “We’ll prepare as best we can, as if we are playing the best Quins team.”
Captaining Quins for the second time, hooker Jack Walker is joined by a new propping partnership, with Jordan Els and Simon Kerrod replacing Santiago Garcia Botta and Will Collier at a sold-out Stoop. Louis Lynagh and Luke Northmore return from England’s training camp on the wing and outside centre.