Premiership
Owner’s message to Sale Sharks Fans
Statement begins.
Dear Sharks Family,
It’s been a memorable season on the pitch for us all at Sale Sharks as we reached our first Premiership semi-final in 15 years. We came up against a talented Exeter Chiefs side on the day and they came out on top. But we’re all so proud of what the players have achieved and we promise that we’ll do everything in our power to make sure this is just the start.
We also know it’s been a challenging and immensely difficult time off the field as well for so many of you but despite everything that the last 15 months has thrown at you, your support for your club has never wavered.
On behalf of everyone at the club, thank you. We promise that we don’t take that support for granted – in fact, we’ve all felt it every time the players took to the field, even if the stands were empty. We can’t wait until you’re all back where you belong.
On the field it’s been an eventful season. The year started with the appointment of Alex Sanderson as Director of Rugby in January and I’m sure you’d all agree that Alex has surpassed even our wildest expectations. He’s had an incredible impact right across the club and is a huge part of why we’ve reached our first Premiership semi-final in 15 years and why six of your Sharks are heading to South Africa for a British and Irish Lions tour.
We have a couple of new signings on the horizon, a brilliant group of talented, home-grown youngsters like Bevan Rodd, Ewan Ashman, James Harper, Matt Postlethwaite, Raffi Quirke, Kieran Wilkinson, Conor Doherty, Tom Roebuck and Arron Reed coming through, we announced new contracts for Manu Tuilagi and Cam Neild and we’ve built on a fantastic set of coaches and backroom staff with the appointment of our new Peak Performance coach Jamie Langley.
This season we also appointed Sid Sutton as our new CEO and under Sid’s guidance, everyone at Carrington is working so hard to make sure next season builds on this one across all departments.
The future is so bright and we hope you’re as excited as we are about what’s to come because together, we can achieve anything.
We’re sure too, that you’re already itching to get back into the AJ Bell Stadium to support your team. We know the lads can’t wait to run out in front of a full house. We welcomed supporters back into the stadium for two games at the end of the regular season and the team responded with two big wins against really good sides. You’re truly irreplaceable and we know the difference you can make and what a part you can play in pushing this club onto even bigger and better things.
We want, and need, you to join us for what’s going to be an exciting ride.
We want to fill the stadium, to make it a fortress and a difficult place for opposition teams to come and we want you to be a part of that. The atmosphere was incredible with 3,000 fans in for the Bristol and Harlequins games so just imagine what it could be like with 12,000.
Top four is the minimum target for your Sharks now but whatever we hope to achieve, we’ll need your help. So join the Sharks feeding frenzy and help us in our quest to reach the summit of English rugby.
Thanks everyone and see you soon.
Regards
Simon, Michelle and Ged
Statement Ends
Source – Sale Sharks Rugby
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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