Picture this: a rugby showdown that turns into a one-sided demolition, with one team racking up nine tries while the other barely manages a single score. That's the jaw-dropping reality of Sale Sharks' crushing victory over Newcastle Falcons, leaving fans and pundits alike buzzing about what it all means for the future of these northern rivals. But here's where it gets controversial – is this a sign of Sale's unstoppable rise, or just a fluke against a struggling opponent? Stick around to dive deeper into the drama.
Now, it's not yet time to fully assess the true caliber of a Sale team whose only league title dates back almost two decades, but Friday's encounter certainly wasn't the moment for that. Facing a Newcastle squad that crumbled so effortlessly in the first 40 minutes, this fixture fell far short of the intense, gritty northern derby it was hyped to be. Under head coach Alex Sanderson, Sale surged to a commanding 31-0 lead at halftime, crossing the try line five times, and then piled on four more after the break in front of a disappointingly sparse crowd of just 5,785 spectators. Sure, tougher tests lie ahead for Sale – they must, because games can't always be this straightforward. For beginners in rugby, think of it like this: a try is when a player grounds the ball over the opponent's goal line, scoring points and often leading to bonus rewards in the league standings.
Yet, for Sanderson, this nine-try onslaught served as a perfect rebound from their previous week's loss to reigning champions Bath, reinforcing Sale's dominance at home in Salford with their second bonus-point win of the season. And for England coach Steve Borthwick, the performance offered plenty of optimism, especially with winger Tom Roebuck stealing the spotlight through a precise hat-trick – that's three tries in one match, a rare feat that highlights a player's speed and skill. 'Tom has been working with a sprint coach at Loughborough, and it's not just him – several squad members do the same,' Sanderson explained. 'You could see it in how he cut inside off his right foot. He hadn't quite found his rhythm this season, so we chatted with him about stepping up. He nailed his training and delivered on the pitch.'
On the flip side, Newcastle, still navigating the early stages of their transformation following the Red Bull takeover, endured yet another forgettable night, suffering their third consecutive loss. They're stuck at the bottom of the table, having leaked an astonishing 134 points so far. Coach Alan Dickens stood by his team despite their dismal first-half showing, insisting, 'I'd never doubt their commitment. They risk everything every time they play.' And this is the part most people miss – while some might argue Dickens should push harder for better results, others see his loyalty as a strength in building long-term resilience. It's a debate worth pondering: does unwavering support help a rebuilding team, or does it mask deeper issues?
Sale was without the injured Curry twins, but hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie made his comeback after his stint with the British and Irish Lions in Australia this summer. Cowan-Dickie, England's hooker, is eyeing spots in the upcoming autumn internationals alongside talents like Joe Carpenter, Roebuck, George Ford, Bevan Rodd, and Asher Opoku-Fordjour – all of whom started against Newcastle and helped Sale steamroll to that absurd halftime advantage. Borthwick is also pursuing Sale's defensive mastermind Byron McGuigan for England's autumn squad, with talks ongoing with the Rugby Football Union.
McGuigan paced the sidelines as fly-half Rob du Preez plunged over for the game's first try from close quarters. Then Roebuck struck his initial score, powering through a sluggish Newcastle defense. The Falcons struggled to break out of their own 22-meter zone – that's the area near their goal line where teams defend fiercely – and after center Max Clark was sent to the sin-bin for repeated infringements (a temporary penalty bench for rule-breaking), Cowan-Dickie muscled over for Sale's third. Captain Ernst van Rhyn bulldozed in for the bonus-point try at the 34th minute, though Cowan-Dickie soon earned a yellow card for a foul. But Scotland wing Arron Reed capped the half with a thrilling fifth, chasing down a clever grubber kick from du Preez to dot down in the corner just before halftime.
Newcastle didn't give up entirely, and winger Elliott Obatoyinbo displayed real grit to force his way over early in the second half, finally putting points on the board and earning cheers from their small group of away fans. However, Sale quickly regained control, with Roebuck slipping through another gap for his second try. Replacement Nathan Jibulu, proving his value with his third Premiership try in as many games, then masterfully assisted Reed for his second, bursting down the flank and smartly linking up with the speedy winger. Reed finished brilliantly to complete his brace, before Roebuck capped his hat-trick with a late squeeze over the line.
In the end, this match raises intriguing questions about the state of rugby's top flight. Is Sale truly elite, or did Newcastle's woes make it too easy? And what about Newcastle's rebuild – is the Red Bull influence a game-changer, or just hype? We invite you to weigh in: Do you agree with Dickens' defense of his players, or should he demand more? Could Roebuck's hat-trick signal a breakout season for him? Share your opinions in the comments below – let's discuss!
