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"Sisa’s extra weight at flanker will help our scrum"

Victory on Friday will shape Sharks' season

Thursday, March 18th 2010

Sale Sharks play their game in hand tomorrow evening against London Wasps and Kingsley Jones has announced the team to play “the game that will shape the rest of our season”.

After nearly 9,000 left Edgeley Park back in November 2009 without seeing a game of rugby, Sale Sharks have had their game against Wasps lingering for almost four months and it is now a must-win.

A break in the fixtures has meant that the players, coaching staff and Kingsley Jones have had a chance to refresh before the last phase of the Guinness Premiership fixture calendar. “This Friday, we have a game plan that can beat Wasps,” said Kingsley. “Historically we’ve had a good success rate over London Wasps, beating them 31 – 3 [December 2008] and 16 – 0 [October 2007] at home. I think the key against Wasps is for us to have a very good kicking strategy. Charlie is the key to that.”

Earlier this week Charlie was called into the England squad as cover for Jonny Wilkinson but he was released back to Sale Sharks on Wednesday. “I was more than worried when I heard Charlie could be Jonny Wilkinson’s back up. I was on my knees when I saw Jonny went down against Scotland. Everyone in the pub wondered why a Welsh man was making such a fuss over him. Not to have Charlie in the full preparation this week isn’t great, but to miss him for the game would have been a major blow.”

“He’s back and he’s an important player for us,” Kingsley added. “On Friday night though it’s about everyone, the 23 of us, fronting up and really putting it to Wasps. If we put in a big performance, start well and improve from our game against Northampton we will go up the table. We need to respect them throughout the game, be patient and keep our discipline.”

Looking at the team to face Wasps tomorrow, Kingsley explained, “I have decided to play Kristian Ormsby at Number 8 for this game; he has experience in this position playing in New Zealand and gives me move options as does the return of Luke Abraham who has missed the last eight weeks. With Ormsby at Number 8, Sisa’s extra weight at flanker will help our scrum.”

Sale Sharks Team: Marika Vakacegu, Dafydd James, Jonny Kennedy, Nick Macleod, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Eifion Roberts, Neil Briggs, Jack Forster, Chris Jones, Dean Schofield, Sisa Koyamaibole, Luke Abraham, Kristian Ormsby.

Replacements: Marc Jones, Gavin Kerr, Rob O’Donnell, Sean Cox, Carl Fearns, David Seymour, Chris Leck, David Bishop.

Conscious of Wasps’ strengths Kingsley said, “They have wingers that can score from 75 meters. We know Wasps will be tough and they are a good side hunting for a place in the top four at the end of the season.”

“We must have a good kicking strategy, good chase and good discipline on Friday. We need to cut out our errors; we’re giving the opposition a piggy-back and also giving the momentum of the game away.”

The squad have been training hard in preparation for London Wasps. Kingsley admitted, “Our days are getting longer and longer here. Players are coming in at 7am and leaving at 3pm. You have to be careful not to take all of the energy out of the players but we’re all working longer hours to make sure we cover every base. The forwards have particularly been showing a great improvement in the last two weeks of training. We just have to make sure we come out on Friday with real commitment, effort and a good start.”

Looking at the fixtures, the Sharks have London Wasps, Worcester Warriors, Saracens and Newcastle Falcons to play at home and London Irish, Bath and Harlequins to face away. Jones admitted, “This game Friday is key. If we win this game Friday we can start looking up. Every single one of these seven games will be tough, especially London Irish away, but I don’t fear any of those teams. Even playing Bath away.”

“In the LV= Cup, let’s be realistic, we took the Sale Jets down to the Recreation Ground. Of course, it will be a big challenge but I’ve been to Bath many times and won. And Quin’s, we’ve beaten them three times this season, we can do it again. I respect all these teams, don’t get me wrong, but why should we fear them?”

Staying positive is difficult when you are bottom of the table, but Kingsley said, “We make sure that everybody looks round the changing room and can see the quality we have in this squad. Everybody has to have the belief we can get through this period. And we can. ”

The Sharks need a Premiership victory against Wasps on Friday, and they need your support! Tickets for the match are still on sale and can be purchased by ONLINE NOW or by ringing the Sale Sharks Ticket Office on 08444 994 994.