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Sharks are predators in European waters

Jenny Dixon
15/10/2008

SHARKS are adopting an ‘in it to win it’ mentality in the Heineken Cup this season.

Despite being in the European tournament’s so-called ‘pool of death’, along with current champions Munster and French sides Clermont Auvergne and Montauban, it is not the taking part that counts for Sharks, but the winning.

Centre Rudi Keil explained: "We are not just content to be in the Heineken Cup, we are going for it, we want to be up there challenging for the trophy."

But actions speak louder than words and on the pitch on Saturday Sharks threw down the gauntlet to their European rivals with a 32-15 bonus point win at Top 14 club Clermont Auvergne.

"We’ve taken the first step now and laid down the law, which is great," added Keil, who replaced injured Lee Thomas 14 minutes into his side’s European opener. "We said before the match what we do in the next 80 minutes will define what happens this season."

Victories do not come much sweeter than this for Sharks’ director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre.

Sharks are the first team to score four tries against Clermont Auvergne at home, in either the French league or the Heineken Cup, and yet the visitors made it look easy.

Winger David Doherty scored Sharks only try of the first half to give the visitors a narrow 13-9 lead at the break.

After the interval, man-of-the-match Luke McAlister, who looked every inch the All Black in a superb performance, crossed the tryline, boosting his individual points tally to 17.

Keil then scored his second try in two matches before winger Mark Cueto secured a try bonus point for Sharks.

Saint-Andre, who spent nine years at Clermont as a winger, said: "I was expecting to have the opportunity to beat Clermont but to score four tries is the chantilly on the strawberries.

"It was a big win for us. I think the atmosphere was fantastic, the players worked very hard and mixed well the attack and defence. I am very pleased with my players."

Clermont fans welcomed Saint-Andre back like an old friend, and Sharks players found their boss’ emotional ties to the place an added motivation.

Keil explained: "There was a ‘Welcome back Philippe’ banner hung in the stadium and a photo of it was plastered all over the papers.

"They had nothing but respect for him. It’s one thing being a coach but to be remembered as a great player by fans is fantastic. He deserves every part of that.

"He said he was proud to go with Sale to Clermont, and it made it very special for us too."

Saint-Andre was delighted with the friendly attention he received from Clermont fans, but not surprised.

"I played there for nine years. I was captain of the club and captain of the French team. I also used to have some bars and a restaurant in the town so everybody knew me. The welcome was fantastic."

So did Saint-Andre return to his former business to toast Sharks’ success?

"No," he laughed. "We had one or two drinks to celebrate but nothing silly because we need to be fresh. We have got a big week before the Munster game on Sunday."