He was always hard-working and honest as a player, and those same qualities have come through in his coaching. Like a lot of coaches, you have to discover whether you can become the No.1, and he has shown he has the right attributes.
It is a big transition going from being a coach with a specific job, like defence, to becoming a manager who picks all his coaches and delegates to them, as well as deciding the playing strategy, and being the main influence in the selection and recruitment of the players at the club. It is about becoming the focal point, because you are accountable for everything – and the buck stops with you.
Sanderson has done it just two and a half years after leaving the hugely successful Saracens coaching team, and reaching the final against his former club at Twickenham on Saturday shows that he has managed to build and expand his coaching skills, despite shouldering the responsibility of becoming a director of rugby.
What is refreshing with Sanderson is his honesty in interviews in reflecting what he has seen, rather than what people want to hear. He’s very clear and straight talking, and those strengths are paying off at Sale in the form of a very tidy squad who play for each other.
The mark of Saracens is that despite the loss of coaches of the calibre of Sanderson, and relegation to the Championship, they have managed to rebuild so successfully. It shows the quality of their organisation under the leadership of director of rugby, Mark McCall.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
