News: Brett Sharman signs a new contract with Saints
By COYSDC
February 9 2010
Northampton Saints today announced that Brett Sharman has signed a new contract with the club. Sharman, a 23-year-old hooker, joined the Saints from South African outfit Blue Bulls in November 2008. After making his first team debut in January 2009 he went on to make 11 appearances in the remainder of the campaign, including in the semi-final and final of the European Challenge Cup.
He has matched that figure already this season, including three starts in the Saints’ run to the LV= Cup semi-finals. Although born in Durban, Sharman, who is also finishing a degree in transport economics, qualifies for England thanks to his grandparents and he has a British passport.
Sharman says that being at the Saints has helped him improve as a player.
“I’ve definitely achieved more here and I’m never going to have any regrets when I look back,” he said. “This is the best move I’ve made in my career.
“I’ve changed everything on my game. Me and Dorian looked at my throwing before the season and I’ve changed my whole set up. I can’t even imagine going back to how I was throwing. We go through things that can improve and work on new techniques so Northampton is like a school of learning for me at the moment.
“I’m also learning a lot from Dylan, both in scrums, lineouts and in general play. I picked up a lot of pace in the pre season so I’m trying to get into good positions to make that work.
“Learning under a great player and a great ex-player is making me the best I can be and going up against Dylan who is the best player in his position in the country right now is a good benchmark to set myself.”
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Sharman remains a promising talent whose best is yet to come.
“Brett has worked very hard on all aspects of his game with Dorian West,” he said. “At just 23 he is still young in terms of front row forwards, and as he gets more experience in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup under his belt he will only get better. I’m certainly happy that he will be at Franklin’s Gardens for the future.”
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:10:08:03:01 by St Marlowe.
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I see Brett's signing as one of the news highlights this year. Here is why...
With Dylan we know we have a star. The downside of having such a player is that we will lose him for up to 12 weeks a season, and then with other international commitments we risk burnout, possibly injury.
So..... what do we want as Saints supporters? In my view, what we want is someone who is a quality player, someone who can step in and almost....almost be as good. If that player was of completely equal value then it wouldn't take too long before he received overtures from other clubs, offering a first team start. A young player of Brett's standing would have to be tempted. So where would we be then?
At the risk of upsetting Rob R, we had a long-term equivalent in Dan Richmond. It's odd that it is the same position, but as a selfish Saints supporter I was never concerned when Dan played in Wally's absence and had hoped it would have lasted longer. Dan never let the Saints down, but eventually he decided to move on.
Rugby is now a squad game. It is not just about the 15 who start, but just as much as about those that are 'desperate' to start that count.
I am delighted that the likes of Brett Sharman have signed on again. JM and DW msut be doing something right.
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I think in an ideal world you'd want three players for each position (more or less, but especially front row).
A grizzled old vet, a curent proven/international and young feisty bugga that's both learning from those in front and challenging for their shirt.
Mr Sharman falls into the latter category, but only at the moment. Good signing.
"“I’ve changed everything on my game. Me and Dorian [Dorian and I young fella - Ed] looked at my throwing before the season and I’ve changed my whole set up. I can’t even imagine going back to how I was throwing. We go through things that can improve and work on new techniques so Northampton is like a school of learning for me at the moment.
“I’m also learning a lot from Dylan, both in scrums, lineouts and in general play. I picked up a lot of pace in the pre season so I’m trying to get into good positions to make that work.
“Learning under a great player and a great ex-player is making me the best I can be and going up against Dylan who is the best player in his position in the country right now is a good benchmark to set myself.”
Still only 23, so lots of good years ahead of him. Excellent!
Regards hooker, I'm not sure who is currently thought higher of Sharman or Gray. Personally I thought Joe showed a lot of promise.
Saint til I die
So let's hear no more use of the word 'Shaky' in conjunction with the word 'Sharman' then
