Michalak the 'match-winner'
Mercurial French flyhalf Frédéric Michalak is expected to produce some match-winning performances for the Sharks in the Super 14.
Mercurial French flyhalf Frédéric Michalak is expected to produce some match-winning performances for the Sharks in the Super 14.
The 47-Test veteran, who replaced Butch James after the latter moved to Bath in the English Premiership, has already left his mark on the Durban-based franchise.
“His acquisition was in an area where a void was being left by Butch,” Sharks coach Dick Muir said in an interview on sharksrugby.co.za.
“We needed to fill that spot. It was a position which was held by a senior and experienced international player, so we needed to replace him with another international player,” Muir added.
The Sharks coach explained that Michalak has settled in well with the team culture and says that the Frenchman is a real player's player.
“If I sit down at the same table as him at breakfast, it won't take him long to sneak away.
“He wouldn't want to be seen by the other players as a coach's favourite.
“But he's really fitting in well, enjoying being here, getting on with everyone and has been a true professional. He's obviously had a very good upbringing,” Muir said.
Muir is clearly impressed with is new recruit and will be looking for him to put in some match-winning performances this season.
“I have been here for a few months now, and am settling in and really enjoying it,” the flyhalf admitted.
“The players have been very welcoming and I think I am fitting in with the team and the culture here at the Sharks. It's exciting to be here, an adventure.”
He explains that in his home town of Toulouse (where he has played all his senior rugby), his popularity means he is often swamped by fans.
“Sometimes it can be very difficult in Toulouse if you just want to have a quiet drink,” he says, hoping to enjoy some anonymity in Durban … for now.
The exciting nature of the Super 14 is what attracted Michalak to Durban, who enjoys a more open style of play.
“I think playing in a tournament [Super 14] where there is more running rugby is a great attraction for me. Nowhere in Europe can you play this kind of rugby and so I look forward to playing against some of the best players in the world.
“I am really excited to playing in the Super 14,” he said.
“It's like a dream come true for me. I came to the Sharks because I enjoy the challenges that rugby offers, and I expect nothing less than a huge challenge in the Super 14.”
Muir said Michalak is likely to be a lot more “explosive” in the Sharks jersey.
“Fred's told me that it is totally different here to what he has experienced before, and I am sure that he's a lot more confident and physical than he was before.
“His view was that he didn't want to put on bulk, in that he feared losing agility, but he's been very impressed with the work he's done with Mark Steele. It hasn't been body-building type gym work, but explosive work which he has bought into totally.
“The extra conditioning and physical preparation that we have done has prepared him for a very physical [Super 14] tournament,” said Muir.
Michalak explains why he has benefited from the pre-season work at the Sharks.
“Because the domestic season is so long in France, we have a much shorter pre-season period. For me, the preparations for the Super 14 were as long and tough as for the Rugby World Cup.”
Michalak is just one of a host of exciting match-winners in the Sharks squad that include the likes of Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Waylon Murray and JP Pietersen, as well as Brad Barritt, who had a storming season for the Sharks last season.
“We have a lot of match-winners, so our playing style wouldn't be structured specifically around him,” admits his coach.