RUGBY: JOHN O'SULLIVANtalks to former Leinster Academy player Kyle Tonetti who is making strides at Sale Sharks

KYLE TONETTI’S first season in the Aviva Premiership with the Sale Sharks has been a little fraught at times but adversity has taught him some lessons on and off the pitch. The 23-year-old former Leinster academy and Blackrock College player decided to accept a two-year contract last summer at the behest of the then Sale Sharks coach Mike Brewer.

The former All Black was well versed with Tonetti’s talent from his time as forwards coach with the Irish province. For his part the player recognised the logjam in the centre positions at Leinster, refused to renege on an ambition to play professional rugby and so headed for Manchester.

While there is no doubt about the prescience of his decision based on how well he has acquitted himself at the club, the former underage international has endured the odd setback during that time. Brewer, appointed in April 2010, was sacked two days before Christmas to be replaced by Pete Anglesea with former hooker and coach Steve Diamond brought back to oversee all rugby matters to the exclusion of Kingsley Jones.

Tonetti has had to serve multiple masters, so to speak in his debut season. Matters were further complicated by a shoulder injury that saw him sidelined for nine weeks and which has been a recurring problem. He will undergo surgery on his left shoulder once the season finishes.

Despite the travails, the young centre has enjoyed his time in Manchester, albeit he’d be a great deal more content if the Sharks avoid relegation. Third from bottom, a victory at home to the Exeter Chiefs this afternoon would guarantee their survival.

Tonetti admitted: “Things have gone well and I’m certainly glad that I made the move. I managed to get a good bit of game time and that’s important when you are trying to prove yourself at a new club. Obviously there are certain aspects that could have gone better; I missed about nine weeks with injury and obviously Mike, who signed me, was replaced as coach. Setting goals was relatively straight forward in that you just want to play and take it from there.”

The young Irishman’s versatility – he can play 10, 12 and 13 – saw him switch between the centre roles. So which does he prefer? “If I was given the choice it would be inside centre. I think that’s a more natural fit for me in terms of the playmaking role. At outside centre you have other duties but I started the season there and did enjoy the challenge.

“The big difference between the Premiership and the Magners League is the relegation scrap. Sale may not have been in the bottom two but they have been just above it for most of the season. It does weigh heavily on a team and it’s difficult to cast off those shackles and concentrate on the rugby rather than the result.”

At his own guesstimate he’s played about 15 matches, a healthy return given his shoulder constraints and when the season finishes he’ll sit down with the coach, redefine goals and have that operation. His wish list for the coming 12 months is to lock down a position in the team and play well enough to catch the eye of the Irish management team.