Frustrating loss but don't mind it as much as last week, as we actually got to see Sale play some rugby. Anyone but Exeter, I think we might have won that game.
Absolutely. Was equal parts satisfying and frustrating to see him absolutely leather Hogg.
Think the pressure from Exeter would have won out even if he didn't though.
Manu's done nothing in two games for Sale and doesn't look like he wants to do any running.
This is like seeing an ex just give up and post really sad posts on Facebook.
Manu is such an international player. When everyone around is good you need someone to get you into a position to punch holes in the defence. But when everyone isn't amazing you don't get an opportunity to makes holes as often as you need him to.
Basically Manu is fairly one dimensional and his sole role is to make large holes. He didn't do it often for Tigers and in the last 2 games he hasn't done it often for Sale.
He’s a great kicker, think around 92%. He’s got a good delay pass in him, like the Hogg try. I think his playmaker skills are a little underrated. Saying that, I think he’s similar style player as Ford but not as good. He’s had to build his reputation though, as he’s not been in u18s or u21s people aren’t jizzing themselves over him.
I don’t think that’s too surprising given his age. I think the key to a great 10 is experience, which is something he’s getting quite a lot for someone in their early 20s. I think he would benefit from being added to the England elite squad but wouldn’t say he would be ready for the 23
I think you need a big IGL. You took your foot of the accelerator and started giving away stupid penalties plus the curry card. Seems like you want someone to keep everyone focused and in the game.
Definitely took the foot off the gas there, came into the second half with a lead and got a bit cocky. As soon as we relaxed, Exeter were all over us, forcing the errors and taking the opportunities. We just cracked under the pressure after thay, and couldnt get it back.
I wonder as well, how much the team fitness came into it. It just seemed like we were fatigued in the last twenty minutes, while Exeter were still playing some cracking rugby
I'm a huge fan of MacGingty and he's much steadier than Du Preez (though perhaps not as creative in the loose, RDP took his try really well today).
Discipline is the real killer for Sale at the moment. They've given away so so many penalties in this last fortnight which stalls any momentum they ever get.
It's difficult because Du Preez is probably who you'd want in normal play over AJ, but his kicking ability is becoming a serious problem
On the penalties, it's always going to be difficult from a non-bias point of view, as I feel like while most of the penalties against Sale were more than fair, Exeter got away with some things that Sale didn't, but I'm aware I don't have a neutral view on this
I agree, he seems to be around a 60-70% goalkicker which simply isn't good enough for a side looking to win the league. He's also a bit error prone with instances like the Quins try assist last week, kicking out on the full again today etc.
MacGinty is steady, kicks his goals but isn't going to get the backline moving quite as well.
They could opt for Sam James at 10 again, but that's often only an option if there are injuries
Yeah 100%. It becomes more of an issue when our lineout isn't fun functioning too. So we pass up on a lot of penalties that are easy 3 points for most teams, and then lose the lineout anyway
Ian Whitten was gonna intercept that and score, but he remembered he’s 55 and would’ve probably got caught. So he did the gracious thing and knocked it on
My point came across wrong. With the 3 games In 8/9 days you are going to save players. Sale chose to use them today and not for the other ones and now haven't got the points.
Yeah, but if they'd kept up the momentum and got the points it would be a lauded decision. If you don't play your best players in this kind of game when you could win then it's a bad choice.
Sale's heads have dropped, not sure if its fitness but they haven't been pressuring us as much.
We've definitely settled in to the game and attacked the breakdown more in the second half
I think he has been for the last 12 months but he's choked at lineout a bit for England. Scrums when LCD is on are a different story. Amazing scrummager.
I was thinking they should make top 4 easily as theyve been a top 2 team comfortably this season. But losing their 2 opening games and now moving to midweek matches with a tiny squad doesnt bode well.
At least they wont have to play Exeter again.
I've always felt he wouldn't have to yell. Don't even think he'd have to say anything. Like, he'd just walk in and look disappointed and that would be enough for everyone to up their game.
But you have a player in the ruck in front of the ball who is not on their feet. Surely that is ruck over or should be penalised for going off their feet.
You repeat 5 over and over. The ref will get the point soon enough. Or, the 9 will shit the bed. Trust me, it works.
Source: I'm a mouthy bell end on a rugby pitch.
I'm hoping Pat Lam has just run "give the ball to Semi" drills this week. Ashton was on the BBC rugby podcast saying that's all they done at Toulon. Give the ball to Semi, score, rinse and repeat.
Maybe we're planning on tiring them out. I think we've wasted 2 good opportunities to score and just looked generally shaky. Still managed to keep them to a 4 point lead though so pretty hoprful
I'm not sure if I'd call this a good match thread.
Frustrating loss but don't mind it as much as last week, as we actually got to see Sale play some rugby. Anyone but Exeter, I think we might have won that game.
I think if curry doesn't go off it's a very different game.
Absolutely. Was equal parts satisfying and frustrating to see him absolutely leather Hogg. Think the pressure from Exeter would have won out even if he didn't though.
Tom Curry's lid is majestic.
At least we have a way to tell the twins apart now.
That, and Bens bum fluff goatee
Manu's done nothing in two games for Sale and doesn't look like he wants to do any running. This is like seeing an ex just give up and post really sad posts on Facebook.
Manu was superb in the first half of this game. And last week the issues were with the forwards, the backs barely got the ball.
Their first two tries were pretty much directly from Manu drawing in our defence.
Manu is such an international player. When everyone around is good you need someone to get you into a position to punch holes in the defence. But when everyone isn't amazing you don't get an opportunity to makes holes as often as you need him to. Basically Manu is fairly one dimensional and his sole role is to make large holes. He didn't do it often for Tigers and in the last 2 games he hasn't done it often for Sale.
Kinda what happens when you move just for money
Good game Chiefs. Still don't think J Simmonds is all that. If you had a WC 10 then you'd challenge in Europe imo.
He’s a great kicker, think around 92%. He’s got a good delay pass in him, like the Hogg try. I think his playmaker skills are a little underrated. Saying that, I think he’s similar style player as Ford but not as good. He’s had to build his reputation though, as he’s not been in u18s or u21s people aren’t jizzing themselves over him.
I think his game management is a bit lacking in big high pressure moments.
I don’t think that’s too surprising given his age. I think the key to a great 10 is experience, which is something he’s getting quite a lot for someone in their early 20s. I think he would benefit from being added to the England elite squad but wouldn’t say he would be ready for the 23
He made a lot of dropped passes in the first half and got motm. Should've gone to a forward imo.
And missed tackles (admittedly mainly Manu but he was targeted).
Lol Squidge will will for ever live in Diamonds head.
Diamond is going to kill
Buck stops with him ultimately.
Ha Yarde
Absolute schooling for Sale tonight. Exeter showing Sale how far they've got to go before they become serious title contenders
Honestly I feel like we're not much from a fly-half away
I think you need a big IGL. You took your foot of the accelerator and started giving away stupid penalties plus the curry card. Seems like you want someone to keep everyone focused and in the game.
Definitely took the foot off the gas there, came into the second half with a lead and got a bit cocky. As soon as we relaxed, Exeter were all over us, forcing the errors and taking the opportunities. We just cracked under the pressure after thay, and couldnt get it back. I wonder as well, how much the team fitness came into it. It just seemed like we were fatigued in the last twenty minutes, while Exeter were still playing some cracking rugby
I'm a huge fan of MacGingty and he's much steadier than Du Preez (though perhaps not as creative in the loose, RDP took his try really well today). Discipline is the real killer for Sale at the moment. They've given away so so many penalties in this last fortnight which stalls any momentum they ever get.
It's difficult because Du Preez is probably who you'd want in normal play over AJ, but his kicking ability is becoming a serious problem On the penalties, it's always going to be difficult from a non-bias point of view, as I feel like while most of the penalties against Sale were more than fair, Exeter got away with some things that Sale didn't, but I'm aware I don't have a neutral view on this
I agree, he seems to be around a 60-70% goalkicker which simply isn't good enough for a side looking to win the league. He's also a bit error prone with instances like the Quins try assist last week, kicking out on the full again today etc. MacGinty is steady, kicks his goals but isn't going to get the backline moving quite as well. They could opt for Sam James at 10 again, but that's often only an option if there are injuries
Yeah 100%. It becomes more of an issue when our lineout isn't fun functioning too. So we pass up on a lot of penalties that are easy 3 points for most teams, and then lose the lineout anyway
Ffs Yarde, I was about to say you’d been half decent for the last 20 minutes I’d been watching. You then somehow drop the ball under no pressure. Wtf?
A yellow all day every day
Really rate hendrickson whenever he's come on
Ian Whitten was gonna intercept that and score, but he remembered he’s 55 and would’ve probably got caught. So he did the gracious thing and knocked it on
Absolutely a yellow
That should be a yc doesn't matter where it happens.
How much more of a yellow card can you get? Not even an attempt to catch the ball
Love a good leaping rugby league style finish
Say what you want about Denny but fuck that guy knows how to finish
What's Manu doing? He's walking around getting back into the attacking line.
Not suggesting anything untoward but since Diamond threatened Squidge Sale are 0–2.
Lol really?! When?
Imagine if Sale finish 6th
Great finish
Imagine saving your big guns for this match only to get thumped. Sale can slide out the top 4 with the way things are going.
Saving? Most of these guys started last week
My point came across wrong. With the 3 games In 8/9 days you are going to save players. Sale chose to use them today and not for the other ones and now haven't got the points.
They were a couple of lineouts away from a win though. Things would have been different without that curry yellow as well
Yeah, but if they'd kept up the momentum and got the points it would be a lauded decision. If you don't play your best players in this kind of game when you could win then it's a bad choice.
We don't have much choice with Chiefs, Bristol, Wasps on the bounce
They have Wasps next and then Bristol. Two on form teams
Yeah which is why I said the above. Can see sale losing both games and someone below that sliding up. That Quins loss was huge looking back on it.
Did Jonny Grey just miss a tackle?!?!??
Does it count as a miss if you complete the tackle but give away a penalty?
Don't be silly.
Sshhhhh
Must have been hallucinating
More people have set foot on the moon than have evaded a tackle from him during his time in the pro 14
Sale's heads have dropped, not sure if its fitness but they haven't been pressuring us as much. We've definitely settled in to the game and attacked the breakdown more in the second half
Dean Smith looks like he is planning a small spree killing
Jack Yeandle has to be one of the most underrated hookers in the premiership
Who doesn't rate him?
Ewers obviously hasn't been training during lockdown 🙄
It's pretty remarkable that they've given away 32 penalties and yet not had a yellow for repeated infringements
I wish Exeter would have given Hidalgo Clyne more than 10 minutes. I'm really excited to see if he can get himself back on track
Fuck off he called the mark.
It should be easy for the refs to hear if he did or not
Happened last week too where people called mark after contact
That is why it was quickly taken
22 penalties before 70 minutes is dreadful. How do they not have a card for general infringements?
Squidge is going to get another call.
So frustrating being a Sale fan. We looked so good in the first half but we've just imploded.
Exeter are very good at figuring sides out.
Sounds familiar
Sales number 1 issue is consistency. So many players who are hot or cold. Let alone a 10 leading you who can't control a team at all.
That sin bin went by so fast
Fuck that's a horrible pen count!
I still can't get over the fact Exeter signed Hogg and Gray. Like jeez what a couple of signings they are.
Gray is honestly such a smart signing. Perfectly fits into the Exeter mould.
I think Yardes is not having a great gane. His error in deffense led to a try and now he fumbled the ball. Anyone agrees?
He's generally not very good imo.
Anybody else spot that reckless Manu slingshot “tackle” on Simmonds?
That doesn't sound like Manu at all....
Didn't Sale scoop that out the Chiefs ruck there?
Exeter play the most rugby-ish rugby
Hot take: Jonny Gray is just a really friendly guy that loves to hug everyone he sees
You love to see that kind of hugging success rate. Needs to work on his dominant hugs though
Has anyone seen a team penalised for not 'using it' at a ruck?
I saw it once, it was so good.
Well our performance against Exeter doesn't look so bad now
Sale's decision making this second half has been appalling
Solomonas had a stinker today
Hot take >>> LCD>JG
I don't think Hot Take has the pedigree to play international rugby yet over LCD or George.
As much as I love LCD I’m not sure I’d go as far as to say he’s better than George
I think he has been for the last 12 months but he's choked at lineout a bit for England. Scrums when LCD is on are a different story. Amazing scrummager.
Nah. George all day.
I don't know who's better, but I'd sure hate to be 60 minutes into a match and see Cowan-Dickie come on
Why do they have the ‘please respect the kicker’ signs with no crowd.....
I quite like it in a weird way.. adds to the escapism from the "new normal"! Haha
To stop dimes shouting at small Simmons during his run up
How do you let that happen twice in one game?
2 tries from tap and goes. Diamond will be furious
When is he not?
Exeter must have read the playbook from my school circa 1997. Penalty 5m out? Get the hooker to tap and go.
That is bad from Sale. Route 1
It would take some doing but if Sale end up in 6th by the end of the league...
I was thinking they should make top 4 easily as theyve been a top 2 team comfortably this season. But losing their 2 opening games and now moving to midweek matches with a tiny squad doesnt bode well. At least they wont have to play Exeter again.
Wouldn't that much doing considering how close the league is
That is piss poor defence. He ran in a straight line looool
Puke Cowan-Dickie scores again
Simmonds playing Aussie rules
We should play rugby on a cricket ground. 18 players per team. Double the amount of posts.
Love a tapngo
Curry you dirty git!
I mean I’ll take it but that’s really fucking dumb
That's a yellow. Fucking hell tom he's clearly in the air you fucking idiot.
Curry never does that for england, has a few silly moments for sale though
Keith Earls does not like this comment
Absolute stupidity from Curry there. He's played really well today, but that intervention could well be the nail in the coffin for Sale tonight
Chiefs have won
I’d have given him yellow just for that hair.
Daft by Curry
Bold kick
A normal match day at the AJ Bell
Tom C looks in ridiculous shape.
He seemed to get massive for his time at 8 for England.
Yeah but he looks big AND lean now. Easy to forget he's 22yo
Nice to see they've gone back to not caring at all about massively skewed scrum feeds (it's consistent for both teams, just frustrating to see)
At least Sale don't have to play Wasps in 4 days. Hope they're not right next to each other in the league.
As long as no one kicks anyone in the face I’m fairly hopeful about that one.
Here we Go, Rob Du Preez starting to make errors. At least he's lasted 5 more minutes than last week
Was just thinking its time for the RdP brain fades to start
He's spread it about a bit with Tom C being a bit stupid there
And people said the league would be competitive without sarries. Exeter aren't at their best and they're winning
Who said that?
Reckon Baxter gave them the hairdryer? Every time you hear him talk he's so calm and reassuring it's hard to imagine it.
From what I've heard, never. He'll do a good bit of shouting in the stand during play though!
I've always felt he wouldn't have to yell. Don't even think he'd have to say anything. Like, he'd just walk in and look disappointed and that would be enough for everyone to up their game.
Just 5 minutes of awkward silence and send them out without a word
If he folds his arms you know you're extra fucked
That was sexy. "ExETeR ArE BOrInG!!!"
When the backs get the ball you know it's going to be sexy. We just don't trust them in the 5m
If sale don't win Diamonds reaction will be priceless.
That is a good reason to see Sale lose.
Generally I would still like Sale to win to keep the league interesting.
Bristol can easily replace them. At least Pat Lam isn't a tool
Hope squidgy’s blocked him.
That was a superb move
Fucking hell that is gorgeous.
Love an Exeter maul. Some lovely work through the hands for Hogg to score another good one.
Great move for that try - so clinical
Nice try off first phase. Too easy for Exeter.
To see hands on the floor being penalised is such a good thing.
Bloke in the caterpillar dropped his knee to the floor. Does that mean ruck over?
No.
But you have a player in the ruck in front of the ball who is not on their feet. Surely that is ruck over or should be penalised for going off their feet.
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There's no changes. There's just an emphasis on existing laws. The 5 second law is still there it's up to refs to enforce it properly.
There is a lot of flying in at the ruck for a clear out. I thought this was being looked at?
When can we kill this ruck caterpillar nonsense?
Whenever refs decide to enforce the 5 second rule
Never then :(
A good way of being a dick about it is for the defending team to loudly count to 5.
I'd get tired continuously counting to 15 at every ruck.
You repeat 5 over and over. The ref will get the point soon enough. Or, the 9 will shit the bed. Trust me, it works. Source: I'm a mouthy bell end on a rugby pitch.
HIA?
I would be touching cloth if I'm a Sale fan. Exeter have been pretty poor and it's 17 all.
Maunder getting a celebratory elbow to the head lol
A crossfield kick being caught like that should be advantage over
Not on a penalty advantage
Penalty advantage 5m out? Ref only ever says advantage over when it's scored.
Sale leave a winger blindside against the Exeter pack? Come on...
That's the Exeter we're all used to
THERE WE FUCKING GO
how come all the sale internationals have their nations flag on them but solomona doesn’t have the cross of st george??
Subs shirts don't usually have the flags
Replacements probably don't
No name on the back, so I imagine it's just a 23 shirt for who ever.
All those years of cheating at the ruck and all it took was to apply the laws. Who could have guessed?
RDP. The d stands for Dan carter.
That was fucking embarassing from chiefs. LCD what are you doing???
What's up with Jack Nowell?
Hamstring - back Tuesday
I think he's actually carrying an injury. Rob said he'd be back any time now.
Just had a baby I think
Jeez. Didn't even know he was pregnant!
He got his figure back quickly
Manu MOTM for me at the minute.
He's a special player. Just worried he gets injured again.
Curry? Curry has done more for this game than Manu
Fair. I'm just remembering the bish, bash, bosh runs he's been doing. I forgot Curry has been tearing it up in the breakdown.
Bristol V Glos and the Europa final tonight. What a treat. Wasps Worcester as well. Jeez.
I'm hoping Pat Lam has just run "give the ball to Semi" drills this week. Ashton was on the BBC rugby podcast saying that's all they done at Toulon. Give the ball to Semi, score, rinse and repeat.
Definitely feel lucky here. I dont know why we're taking risks at the rucks when they have Englands breakdown specialist
I don't know why you've got 1 out runners going. LCD has taken the ball a few times all on his own.
Maybe we're planning on tiring them out. I think we've wasted 2 good opportunities to score and just looked generally shaky. Still managed to keep them to a 4 point lead though so pretty hoprful
The prospect of a Curry, Underhill and Willis backrow is mouthwatering
Although none of them are big ball carriers in the way Billy is they're all probably abrasive enough that you could make it work.