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A fired-up Faf de Klerk spills over the advertising hoardings in scrap with Argentinian centre Moroni
By Sam Smith
Sale Sharks star scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and Argentinian Matias Moroni have been re-introduced with each other after the South African took exception to a cover tackle.
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The pair of internationals usually met when the Springboks play the Pumas in The Rugby Championship, but found one another in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership as Leicester hosted Sale.
After picking up a loose ball, Faf de Klerk was lassoed around the ankles by Moroni when the pair slid into touch. After the tackle, Moroni bounced to his feet and tried to step over de Klerk, which he took exception to.
Moroni was already tripping over as an enraged Faf chased the Leicester Tigers’ new centre and forced him into the advertising hoardings.
The Springbok then grabbed Moroni before the pair had to be separated by teammates. Fans were confused at de Klerk’s reaction, however the scrumhalf claimed he was pushed in the back to the sideline ref after the tussle.
Faf de Klerk is small man syndrome personified
— RugbySeconds (@RugbySeconds) January 29, 2021
The early scrap seemed to galvanise the visitors, who fought back from an 8-0 deficit to lead at half time after Sam James grabbed a long-range intercept try against the run of the play.
The Sharks were able to run away 25-15 winners after an AJ MacGinty cross-kick found Marland Yarde to extend the lead to 22-8 with 25 minutes remaining.
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The win lifted Sale into second on the Premiership ladder, but new coach Alex Sanders did not want his side getting carried away.
“Winning generally comes as an outcome of getting all the other bits right,” he said.
“If we got some transference from how we trained, and what we talked about, even just glimpses of it and give us things to build upon and anchor all the hard work we’ve done, I’d have been happy.
“So to get the win on top of that is a bonus, and a good one. But let’s not get carried away, it’s just the start, it’s just a good start.”
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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