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'Boks will come with the same game plan': Schalk Burger predicts Wellington repeat for All Blacks
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Sale Sharks beat Saracens to land Raffi Quirke replacement
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Sale Sharks have something to smile about with the news that under-fire director of rugby Alex Sanderson has ended his long search for a new scrum-half after Chiefs and All Blacks XV star Xavier Roe completed a move to the club for next season.
Sanderson has faced calls to quit the club after last weekend’s humiliating 85-17 thumping at the hands of Saracens, but instead has been pressing ahead with the rebuilding of his squad for next season.
Ironically, the North London side were linked with a move for Roe, 27, despite having already signed Tom James from Northampton Saints and Wales star Tomas Williams from Gloucester for next season.
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Last month, RugbyPass exclusively revealed the Sharks’ interest in Roe, who toured the United Kingdom with All Blacks XV in the autumn, as they look to replace England international Raffi Quirke, who is heading to Newcastle Red Bulls next season.
Earlier in the season, Sanderson had tried to sign England and Lions star Alex Mitchell before he put pen to paper to stay at Gallagher PREM title-chasing Northampton Saints.
Roe, who has made over 50 appearances for the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific, also plays for Waikato in the NPC, and has All Black Cortez Ratima, who has recently signed a new contract, ahead of him in the pecking order.
He will be a most welcomed addition to the Sharks squad and will become the 12th new signing ahead of next season, which is being headlined by the arrival of former England captain Courtney Lawes.
Roe will be their third new arrival from Super Rugby Pacific, with the Fijian Drua pair of winger Ponipate Loganimasi and back-row Elia Canakaivata already unveiled by the club.
Wales internationals Tomas Francis, Christ Tshiunza, and Nicky Smith have signed up, along with England outside centre Joe Marchant, returning from Stade Francais, hoping to make a late run into Steve Borthwick’s plans for the World Cup.
