Director of Rugby Steve Diamond revealed scheme at the breakdown
Steve Diamond reveals key to Sale Sharks turnovers
In their Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol Bears, hosts Sale Sharks bullied their way to a try bonus before the first half was up and would go on to win 40-7. It was a bruising display from Sale and during the first 40 minutes the club’s Director of Rugby revealed to BT the renewed approach to hunting tunrovers at the breakdown.
According to Diamond, only Ben and Tom Curry and Akker van der Merwe would be allowed to jackal, in order to keep the side’s penalty count low as well as being canny about the likliest time to steal ball.
A few took to Twitter after the cutaway from live match action.
Steve Diamond says "Curry, Curry & Akker van der Merwe can have a go. The rest can't." This is what the law interpretations will hopefully achieve. The best technical jackals get their rewards, but those slumping over the ball to kill it, won't.
— Chris Jones BBC (@chjones9) August 29, 2020
Fascinating insight there from Steve Diamond. Only allowing the Curry brothers and Van der Merwe to compete at the breakdown to avoid chasing lost causes and conceding penalties. Says risk v reward has become too high. #SALvBRI
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) August 29, 2020
There were several intercepts in the game too, and Sale looked punishing up front even in the moments of dissaray. However, they showed so much dominance in this game that many other Sharks stars got in on the act of stealing ball – you never look a gift horse in the mouth…
Hang on a second, AJ MacGinty has just made a breakdown turnover…
Mutiny on Diamond's hands! ?#SALvBRI
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) August 29, 2020
Have missed Akker Van Der Merwe. My oath he is a good player. So busy. So aggressive. Rambunctious fellow!
— Front Row Grunt (@FrontRowGrunt) August 29, 2020
27 | Sale win another turnover in the ruck with Akker this time.
Jackals on fire today. #SALvBRI [21-0] | #SharkTime pic.twitter.com/kCtX630GCX
— Sale Sharks? (@SaleSharksRugby) August 29, 2020
Half-time at the AJ Bell Stadium; Sale 26 Bristol 7. Sharks will be back up to second in the Prem tonight. Their strongest line-up far too good for Bristol reserves. Ben Curry outstanding again.
— Chris Foy (@FoyChris) August 29, 2020
Absolute bloodbath at Sharks ? #SALvBRI
— Laura-Jane Jones (@MissLJJ) August 29, 2020
Sale's Angry Warthog seems especially angry today.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) August 29, 2020
The totting up of Sale Sharks turnovers aside, Akker van der Merwe was at the forefront of the physical onslaught from Sale while Ben Curry – who has been the subject of increased calls to get more international recognition, alongside his brother Tom – was a nightmare for the Bears.
And all over, tries were adding up for the hosts.
"The soft pianist hands of Daniel du Preez…" ?
The South African's deft offload allows Luke James to score a simple opening try for @SaleSharksRugby pic.twitter.com/opr7tZjB5t
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) August 29, 2020
tries in just 18 minutes for @SaleSharksRugby ?
Faf de Klerk the latest to capitalise from a Bristol turnover… pic.twitter.com/b86vbqN3k7
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) August 29, 2020
Pinpoint accuracy from Faf de Klerk… ?
And it's a second try for Luke James! ? pic.twitter.com/A9ce9oXCHi
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) August 29, 2020
Seeing out the result means Sale replace Bristol in second place in the table.
When the two sides last met at Ashton Gate back in November, Bristol were 16-10 victors in a tight match that saw both teams score tries in the final five minutes. Of course, this was much more of a one-sided affair.
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