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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.
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.
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.
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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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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