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Diamond proud of Sale despite semi-final exit to 'too powerful' La Rochelle

By Online Editors
La Rochelle beat Sale Sharks to progress into the European Challenge Cup final

Sale boss Steve Diamond admitted his side had been overpowered by La Rochelle in their European Challenge Cup semi-final but only had praise for his players.

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In an eventful last-four clash, Sale pushed their French opposition all the way only to fall just short as they worked hard for what would have been a winning try late on, La Rochelle holding on for a 24-20 win.

Sale’s points came from a penalty try, a Chris Ashton try and Alan MacGinty’s boot.

Director of rugby Diamond said: “We played pretty well. We have a saying about ‘gold medal moments’ and there were two in the 22 where we knocked the ball on off a line-out.

“At semi-final level they are the difference between winning and losing. We’re a bit disappointed, but I can’t fault the lads.

“We didn’t turn up last week against Worcester in the league and we were quite pathetic, but that was a Sale team I’m proud to coach.

“What we did right was to get within four points. We took the penalty 10 minutes out, but La Rochelle are a very good side and we played into their hands a little bit with their big forwards.

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“Overall La Rochelle were too powerful, but ultimately I’m very proud of the performance.”

Sale were level at 17-17 at the break thanks to the penalty try and Ashton’s score. La Rochelle also grabbed a penalty try with Kini Murimurivalu adding a second French effort.

Both teams were reduced to 14 men in the opening 40 minutes with La Rochelle’s Victor Vito and Sale’s Denny Solomona both yellow carded for their role in conceding the penalty tries.

After the break Gregory Alldritt’s try for La Rochelle soon after the game resumed proved crucial and all Sale could manage in the second half was a penalty from MacGinty.

“La Rochelle have got a strong squad, but we’re excited about where we’re going and we think we’ve got our recruitment right for next season,” Diamond added.

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“We’ve got seven or eight internationals joining us and that will help in competitions like this. The Challenge Cup has been fantastic for us.

“To get to the semi-final and just miss out on the final means we can be very proud.”

La Rochelle will now play in their first European final in Newcastle on May 10.

Their captain Vito said: “We didn’t make it easy for ourselves. We weren’t disciplined. Sale came out and capitalised early. It was very close, but credit to the boys because we’ve pulled through.

“It was a tough, tough match out there. We knew we had to stick tough. We haven’t had many situations like this in our history, but we knew coming into this game we had a good defence and we wanted to back it. Little lapses on our attack cost us, but our defence held us out.

“We’ve got to enjoy the good times. We’ve just won a semi-final and we’ll enjoy the night, but the job is not done yet. We’ve got to go and nurse our achy bodies for the next game in the Top 14 and for when the final comes.”

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Trevor 53 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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