1
Emotional Alex Sanderson issues apology to the retiring Jono Ross
Alex Sanderson jetted out to Marbella on Sunday with his beaten Sale having issued an apology to Jono Ross that the Sharks were unable to give their South African skipper a winning Gallagher Premiership final send-off.
ADVERTISEMENT
Saturday at Twickenham was the final game of the 32-year-old’s career before his retirement and the club that he joined in 2017/18 agonisingly fell short of lifting the trophy.
The title was theirs for their taking as they were leading 23-25 and pressing the Saracens line for another try. However, a crucial lineout was lost five metres out, another set-piece throw went astray on halfway and after a clearance kick was then charged down, the Londoners struck for two tries in a four-minute spell to clinch a rumbustious 35-25 win in the glorious summer sun.
It left director of rugby Sanderson crestfallen at the end of his second full season in charge at the club he joined following his lengthy apprenticeship as a Saracens assistant and amongst his sombre post-game musings was an expression of regret that Ross wasn’t exiting as an English league champion.
It was a question about the impressive form of Manu Tuilagi in the final that got Sanderson around to paying tribute to both his midfielder and his now-retired back row.
“Manu is playing his best rugby, he is at his most robust and we said this was the aim two-and-a-half years ago, to be playing his best rugby going into the World Cup and we have achieved that – but he is just one of 23 players who I am immensely proud of today.
“There is another one sitting right here, he is another who I thought just put everything on the line. I am going to miss him. Manu, I have got another year with but Jono, for everything that he brings, I am going to miss him and I am sorry we couldn’t send you off, mate, in the manner that we both wanted.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Ross will say his goodbyes to the squad in Spain but he used the final answer at the post-match Sale media briefing to sum up his six-year sojourn in Manchester, book-ending a career that started out at the Bulls in Pretoria before switching to France for three years at Stade Francais.
“It’s a special place. It has grown over the years, over the last two years with Alex and gone to another level. I owe a lot to Al, to this club, to the people at this club. Simon (Orange), Ged (Mason), Michelle (Orange), they have given me a lot.
“I have had two kids born in Manchester. It will always be our home away from home. I’ll miss Sale, I’ll miss rugby, but it is the right time for me to bow out. Next is to enjoy a couple of days with the boys, get back home, get back on the farm, enjoy some sun and then get cracking on the future. Time with my family.
“I’m really proud of this group,” he added. “We have grown, we have improved. It is the start of an era and as long as we get heads down next year and improve, I can’t see why this group won’t be here fighting for titles year in and year out.”
ADVERTISEMENT
That is a message Sanderson vowed to relay to his relatively young Sale squad. “I’ll be telling them to get used to this place. There are definitely a few conversations about the feeling that we will be here again.
“The odd fairy tale (win in your first final) does happen but rarely in my experience. You have just got to be better at handling moments like the ones that occurred today and that takes experience.
“That is what we got today, that is what we will build on and we will get better. We are a young side for the most part. I am sure after the crushing feeling they have right now of missed opportunity, the underlying emotion would be one of pride and excitement for what we can build on.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Eye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
42 Go to comments