Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has questioned whether his side are respected by their Durban-based namesakes.
This follows a post on X by Sharks owner Marco Masotti ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash in Manchester.
“I hope the Sale fans show up to see the real @SharksRugby. Good luck to the Sale Tuna,” said Masotti, who has often suggested that Sale should consider rebranding.
However, Masotti may have simply handed his opponents extra motivation.
“We’ll lean into that,” Sanderson said. “You’ve got to find something every week that pushes the buttons. This week, there’s enough there for us.
“Do they respect us as an organisation? Questionable, certainly not from the top,” he added. “That’s something I’ll keep in my back pocket. The lads who are on social media might want bragging rights, and that can be powerful.”
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With freezing conditions forecast in northern England, Sanderson believes the environment will play a role against visitors arriving from summer conditions in KwaZulu-Natal.
“They’re flying in from 25 degrees in Durban,” he said. “Minus three conditions at the CorpAcq Stadium, at night in midwinter, helps us. It’s not a nice place to come and we want to keep it that way.”
Despite the Sharks’ disappointing Vodacom URC campaign, Sanderson insists his side are preparing for the strongest possible challenge.
“We’re planning for the best – you have to,” he said. “They haven’t had a good run of results, but they’ll want to get pride back in their jersey.”
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Sale know that a bonus-point win could secure their place in the Champions Cup round of 16, but Sanderson warned against complacency.
“This competition is about edge,” he said. “Emotion, motivation, environment – all of it matters.”
He added with a smile: “Be the biggest shark. Be the angriest shark. Be the most aggressive shark. That’s the message.”
There’s only room for one shark in this tank
The Battle of the Sharks—this Saturday. On our territory.
Limited seats available – https://t.co/3vYxkdQ3iZ pic.twitter.com/fFAOrTisFn
— Sale Sharks
(@SaleSharksRugby) January 5, 2026
Photo: Lewis Storey/Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images
The post Sale fired up by Sharks owner’s ‘tuna’ taunt appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.