Falcons/Sharks preview

I can see you!
By PoyntonShark
September 17 2003

It's that time of year again, when the Albanian foot soldiers make the trek north to visit our old friends on the battlefield known as Kingston Park (that's Soulless to you Grummps).

The fortunes of both sides were pretty similar in the first games of the season, both initially falling behind, rallying in the second half and then being pegged back at the death.

Fortunately for us in Cheshire we weren't pegged back quite so harshly as the Falcons, Newcastle losing at home by 20 - 25 to a new look Saracens. A reputedly controversial decision by Steve Lander, giving Sarries a Penalty Try was eventually the difference between the two sides.

With RWC players missing (I'm sure you've all got the message on that one by now) Newcastle will be without the mercurial Johnny Wilkinson, but let's be honest, that's not a situation they are totally unfamiliar with, and with Dave Walder being unluckily rejected by Woodward, and unusually for him at this stage of the season still fit, they are in better shape than they were for most of last season. Add to that the acquisitions of Mark Andrews and Gareth Archer and already they are looking a strong outfit. Outside Walder they have pace aplenty with the likes of Noon, Stephenson, Gollings and former Sale fullback Joe Shaw. In Wilkinson's absence Falcons appear to have turned to Epi Taione for inspiration, he is their chief ball carrier, and whilst his yards may be made in a physically more demanding way than Wilkinson's left boot, any sign of weak tackling and he can be just as devastating.

Sale will certainly have been put through their defensive paces in training this week after relatively poor showing against Saints and we can expect our back row to be busy making plenty of hits. No news of team selection from Sale as yet, the only certainty being Dave Swanton's finger injury will prevent him turning out. I assume we can expect a similar side to that which started against Northampton. Braam van Straaten is rumoured to be ready to take to the field; if this is the case, I would expect him to take over the 10 and kicking duties from Jos. Despite Jos' hugely improved striking of the ball, this should instill more confidence in Sale fans that any indiscretion by Newcastle will be duly punished. Dan Harris looked to be in severe pain as he left the field last Friday, so we may well see Jos's deft handling in the centres. After last week's performance I would hope that the pack remains pretty much unchanged, with perhaps just a difference at 8 if Big Red is fit, I'm sure he will be itching to play against his old mates.

Despite the pace already mentioned in the Falcons back line, we know we can at least match that, and I believe we have the edge out wide, Stan has already shown he hasn't forgotten the way to the try line (sorry but no decent rugby pundit can resist at least one stock phrase), and Frank will no doubt not want him to get too far ahead in the scoring stakes. Sale's biggest hurdle may well be our appalling recent record at Kingston Park, but a new found brutality up front and who knows, perhaps even a cameo from Charlie, should, I believe, just about see us through. Both sides seem to have a willingness to play an expansive game, so hopefully for the travelling faithful this will be another exciting day out

Sale 35 - Newcastle 24.