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'I expected a bit more angry Steve Diamond... but he was really calm'
Faf de Klerk couldn’t believe his eyes. There were Sale, revelling in a five-match unbeaten league run and then boom… they imploded embarrassingly at Northampton and conceded the most points in their Premiership history. Ouch.
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If ever there was a time for Steve Diamond to read his players the riot act, this was it. Professional teams should never be lining up behind their posts watching an opposition attempt to convert their nine tries, but the Sale coach somehow managed to button it, to keep his peace and instead set about getting a reaction in a very different way to the 17-67 humiliation.
His unexpected approach worked, too. Sale lifted their carcass off the Franklin’s Gardens floor to sting Wasps eight days later some 30-odd miles elsewhere in the Midlands. Funny old game? You bet.
“I expected a bit more angry Steve Diamond,” said de Klerk when RugbyPass asked for an insight into the fall-out that followed the 50-point defeat which should have left the Sharks squad sheepish about collecting their week’s salary.
“He was really calm and that was basically what he said: ‘We’re going to have to put this one behind us but keep this disappointment, come in on Monday and we’re going to work through it.’
“We didn’t spend a lot of time on that game. We just focused on Wasps, just focused on what we wanted to do and that was great to just shift the focus. But in saying that, we all knew what that felt like, we knew if we weren’t going to pitch up for that game against Wasps it was probably going to happen again because they have got such attacking threats.
“But Steve was actually quite calm and got us focused quite quickly on Wasps just to keep that disappointment and make sure it doesn’t happen again. We definitely weren’t mentally switched on. They were a lot of new combinations.
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“People saw familiar faces but we hadn’t played together for ages. I hadn’t played with AJ (MacGinty) for I don’t know how long. And we also came off a long break, a four-week break where we hadn’t played any rugby and the other teams had continued momentum.
“But that is all excuses, we were just not mentally up for it and Northampton were. There were some sore bodies Monday but to see the bounce back at training was amazing. We don’t always need a bounce back, we need to be more consistent. But we are still growing as a group.”
De Klerk sounds level-headed when putting his rugby into perspective, his religious beliefs playing a huge role in keeping him grounded.
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“100 per cent. It’s the biggest thing that I would go to every day and every night, especially before a game. It helped me a lot coming over here (to England). You said about the pressure, I can always just say a quick prayer if I need to and I get a lot of motivation from that. Luckily enough, I feel privileged to do what I love.”
Thanx for all the messages? Very blessed to a part of this group. All honor to the Man upstairs? #special #thankful #blessed pic.twitter.com/qVaFH8TQfC
— Faf de klerk (@fafdeklerk) November 11, 2018
His faith hasn’t yet turned many heads at Sale, unlike at Ulster some years ago where Ruan Pienaar instigated a weekly Bible study session and regularly attended the Christian Fellowship Church in Belfast in the company of a number of team-mates.
“Mostly I’m on my own but we spoke about it the other day and said we might try and start something at the club, see if we can get a few guys to come and take it from there. It’s a really big thing for me and I will always stand by that, and if we can get a few guys going that would be great.
“There is not much (religious talk) in England. There was a bit more in South Africa, the people are more open to it and more used to it, especially at the Lions where we were very open about it, very religious, but not in England as much. Maybe we can get a few more people turning to the Lord more. It’s something I really hold dear to myself.”
De Klerk has every reason to feel that way. Few would have thought he would have got a Springbok recall when he decided to quit South African club rugby for life in Manchester. Seventeen months the 27-year-old went in between caps.
The game-changing call came from Rassie Erasmus, who twisted the rules enforced on him from on high to get the struggling Boks firing again from last June onwards. That resurgence swept de Klerk all the way to a World Player of the Year award nomination.
“Amazing. I must say I did not expect to get that call, especially with the 30-cap rule that was going on (for overseas-based players). That was real special. Going back it showed that I was worthy of being there. He [Erasmus] had put his trust in me, so I needed to perform. Luckily it came off in the end and hopefully I can continue to be in the squad, but I need to play well for my club and be worthy of being there again.
“Rassie’s a great character. He loves the jersey, loves South Africa. He wants to make people proud of us again and he has the knack to just create something special again in the group.”
Manchester is becoming a home from home for fellow itchy-footed South Africans looking to pocket some Sterling rather than the Rand. Only this past week in the lead-up to Saturday’s latest Premiership fixture, a home match versus Exeter, the club revealed it had snapped up out-half Robert du Perez and hooker Akker van der Merwe from the Durban-based Sharks on three-year deals.
De Klerk’s flowing blond locks make him one of world rugby’s more readily identifiable players, but his distinctive mane never comes up in conversation when he attends events such as last Wednesday night’s Gallagher-sponsored Train With Your Heroes session at Lymm RFC under-15s.
“They have confidence coming here that it is a good environment to come into. I know where we want to go as a club and I know Dimes [Diamond], everything he says he comes through on, just the focus on where we are going to take the club and the ambition we have. It’s good for a player to come here and see how he can push himself. For me being here, it shows you can grow your rugby, enjoy being here and enjoy being yourself. It’s a good attraction.”
A very open discussion with @DennySolomona in @RugbyPass about coping with mistakes and depression. It’s important to hear from someone successful that #ItsOkNotToBeOk and everyone makes mistakes. Thank you for sharing Denny #MentalHealthAwareness https://t.co/5ZAB8FzBlJ
— Sale FC Rugby (@SaleFC) March 1, 2019
“It’s always good to see the kids smiling, playing around and asking you all these questions. It’s always really good fun and I enjoy it. Quite a lot of what I’m asked is how do I tackle big guys because I am so small (5ft 8ins). I get asked that quite a lot.
“I normally just say I go in as hard as I can and catch them unexpected. With most big guys nothing is going to be easy, so just run in as hard as possible.”
That’s an aggressive approach that has served de Klerk very well.
In other news: Leinster’s Leo Cullen speaks about the possibility of securing a PRO14 home semi
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
30 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments