Michalak’s mojo key for Sharks
31 Jul 2012
RYAN VREDE writes Frederic Michalak has emerged as a central figure in the Sharks’ drive to the Super Rugby title.
The Sharks are finally starting to see an expected return on their significant investment in the 29-year-old Frenchman, who arrived in 2008 and has had a regular association with the franchise since. Some would question the accuracy of that assertion, arguing that he was instrumental in leading them to the 2008 Currie Cup title and was key in their surge to the final last year.
However, you don’t recruit a player of his calibre and standing to win domestic prizes. It should be a pleasant by-product of having his ilk at your disposal. Fundamentally, Michalak was brought in to help the Sharks end their Super Rugby drought. And now, after a series of inspiring performances since being installed at flyhalf about halfway through their campaign, he is on the cusp of doing just that.
Michalak’s aptitude for Super Rugby was displayed in 2008 before he seriously injured his knee and missed the remainder of the tournament. Certainly he was still adjusting to some of the tournament’s unique demands, particularly against elite opposition, but he always seemed comfortable fit.
Now, after being granted an extended run (somewhat fortuitously in light of an injury to Pat Lambie) Michalak is thriving. His performance against the Stormers on Saturday was composed, intelligent and near faultless in execution. This was in keeping with the expectation of a 56-Test veteran and a player who has won a French Top 14 championship and two European Cups (with Toulouse). The Sharks must hope Michalak displays those qualities in an even higher measure come Saturday.
That said, it would be remiss to ignore the correlation between his impressive form and the upswing in the forwards’ displays. Sterile and impotent for half the tournament, the heavies were then galavanised by the return from injury of Beast Mtawarira, Willem Alberts and to a lesser extent, Ryan Kankowski. Michalak has subsequently had a platform that would be the envy of all 10s.
And he has taken full advantage, orchestrating attacks with consummate skill and sharp decision making, while also giving them an unpredictable dimension with his natural flair. It is incumbent upon his forwards to best the Chiefs’ powerful pack in general and set play in order to give him a reasonable opportunity to engineer the victory they so desperately crave.
With a taxing travel schedule that has seen them clock up nearly 35000 km in the last three weeks, there are legitimate questions about their capacity to achieve this.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has spoken of his players’ deeply rooted self-belief and their refusal to allow fatigue to be used as an excuse for failure to play at their optimum level. Plumtree’s coach-speak is admirable but rests on the hope that the Sharks’ forwards in particular will have something left after their heroic performance at Newlands.
If they do, Michalak, on current form, has the potential to be the fulcrum around which a Sharks victory is built.
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174 Comments
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31 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
I would have started with Jordaan at 12 – he has serious BMT. I would have kept JPP outside him, and Ludik on the wing. And I would have put Lambie at 15. And because they’d already have two goal kickers, I would have dropped Viljoen and put Bosman on the bench. But that’s just me.
31 Jul 2012, 12:38 pm
@Transformation-46: I remember Mvovo getting the head clash. Not sure who came on. I do remember in one of the games Craig Burden came on and played wing for a bit. It could very well have been him.
Need to watch that game again to see how we went. I know it was a very, very close game and it came down to the wire. They got a try after the hooter. So not taking that into account but before it. There was only a few in it at the time. Do remember they missed the conversion at the end and we got a losing bonus point because of it. Lucky…hehe. That one point put us in the play-offs. Just shows how some bonus points helps on the way.
31 Jul 2012, 12:40 pm
Lol agree Transie… Both teams were k ak that day…
31 Jul 2012, 12:40 pm
@>^..^< katman-51: Good point there Katman. Jordaan can play 12 then not sure when last he did play there. That would mean we would have all our player makers on at once. Jordaans defence is top class too. Could be a good thing to try and pick up the tempo from the start.
31 Jul 2012, 12:41 pm
Sa vs NZl Hockey,0-3 at the mo
31 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
SBW a huge threat keep JPP at center, with the form he is in at the moment, need to keep SBW honest. Jordaan on the wing and Lambie at fullback. Bosman to start may just be hitting form……………..eventually lol.
31 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
@THE MAULER-50: Yes that could work as well. Just think we should stick with players that have been playing in the last few games. I rate Lambie highly but he is not game fit. Well he has not had any true game time except the bit against the Cheetahs. Also not sure if he is 100% over his injury so yes, I think he should be played off the bench. Then Katman’s post 51 is also something to think about. He has Lambie starting. Jeez I am just pleased we are not the Coach…….hahaha.
31 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
@Puma-54: In matric, which was not that long ago for him. I think he played 10 and 12.
31 Jul 2012, 12:45 pm
Playing Lambie from the bench because he was injured for the last 2 games and he will be fresh for the last 30… Just an opinion…
31 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
Lambie played 12 in 2010 CC before moving to FH…
31 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@>^..^< katman-58: Yeah he is only 20 now. Could work.
@THE MAULER-59: That is also another thought. Lambie will have fresh legs has not played much.
Just have to see who Plum selects. This could be a headache for him.
Okay cheers gents. Out of here for now. Going to grab some lunch.
31 Jul 2012, 12:51 pm
Sorry see you talking about Jordaan… Think he played at 12 for the Sharks U21′s… Maybe…
31 Jul 2012, 13:06 pm
@THE MAULER-59: Its a final boet, risks must be taken, play your best possible team
Now one can go the rought of a bigger center pair or a faster lighter nimble pair Options being
1) Lambie and Jordaan
2) Lambie and JPP
3) Bosman and Jordaan
4) Jordaan and JPP
5) Bosman and JPP
Question is what game plan to follow? because this will also filter down as to whom to choose as the loose forwards as well as the Lock combo.
again that will also go for what the bench must be as to be as effective as possible,If we are going to play the same as the past few weeks?? we then have to choose the players that will keep the flow of the game, Of course defense cannot be thrown out of the window.
If this is the case i would choose the following team to start.
15 Ludick
14 JPP
13 Jordaan
12 Lambie
11 Mvovo
10 Fred
09 Mcleod
08 Kanko
07 Marcel
06 Daniel (Capt)
05 Bresler
04 Sykes
03 Jannie
02 Bismark
01 Beast
16 Burden
17 Herbst
18 Alberts
19 Deysel
20 Botes
21 Bosman
22 Viljoen
Again Why i would rather start with Sykes is to have Alberts fresh at the Start of that 2nd half to play a tad looser and go on the rampage with strong running to open gaps.
I feel Jordaan and JPP can change arouond during the match as it suits them, Also the backline subs are more like that incase we are leading and we want to play a tighter 2nd half.
The Starting backline gives us 2 kickers and not only 1, and of course on the bench you have 2 good kickers in Bosman and Viljoen.
Fact though it matters not who we select lol but who plum selectes
31 Jul 2012, 13:11 pm
@THE MAULER-62: No he played 13 and a few matches at 10 and 14
31 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm
The Sharks released two crash ball centres in Andre Strauss and Riaan Swanepoel and never replaced them, Whitehead is injuries prone and a bit on the under size, JP could be used against the Stormers at centre but against the Chiefs it’s a risk, they are too fast and foot fleeing for him.
31 Jul 2012, 13:24 pm
The travel argument is over-emphasized.
31 Jul 2012, 13:26 pm
SL exactly it up to Plum to choose the team… As I said it is an opinion and rushing Lambie in to the Starting team could work and could not… But I would not change the forward pack as they are playing well together as it is…
31 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm
This is going to a helluva game of rugby to watch, get the feeling that destiny with the Sharks much the same as it was with Chelsea earlier this year. Plum should as far as possible keep the continuity going. with perhaps Lambie at Fulback being the only switch.
Sharks can definitely get on top at the set pices, Chiefs manned up against the Saders but still dont think they have much of a Scrum and if I were Plum I may just have a wee flutter to that about the ref……………….”watch Chiefs props on the bind” looked like they were doing some dodge maneuvers against the Saders.
31 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm
@Transformation-4:
Yeah yeah….whatever you say….
31 Jul 2012, 13:36 pm
@ Captain… A guy in my office has been saying that since yesterday that he feels the Sharks are going to do a Chelsea and win… Hope you are both correct!
31 Jul 2012, 13:40 pm
@>^..^< katman-51: Jordaan reminds me of Deputy Travis Junior from Reno 911
31 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm
@THE MAULER-70: Here is hoping…………..despite what Mark Keohane pedals…………I as a South African neutral really hope the Sharks win would have been behind the Stormers aswell …………maybe its cause I support the Cheetahs and dont get to many finals to watch
………..but hey we provide you lads with the big pockets the raw material and they come back home to Bloem a lot wealthier and happier all in all win win!!! 
and personally I love seeing New Zealand get stuffed in anything!! not cause Im a hater Im just a Saffa its in the DNA lol and I still think SBW should move to Bloem……………
31 Jul 2012, 13:44 pm
Testing one two three
31 Jul 2012, 13:46 pm
@Nikita-73: 4,5,6
31 Jul 2012, 13:49 pm
@Nikita-73:
oh nikita.
why have you moved to the bottom of the page?
31 Jul 2012, 13:50 pm
@Captain Sam Vimes-72: Before Capatain Sam get pilloried I meant that only in sporting terms “mates”. I think NZ a really beautiful country and even have some NZ friends who know not to speak about anything sport related between the islands and the republic, as long as we stay off that page harmony otherwise its Sparta myself and mate of mine didn’t talk for six months after the “goldenbryce” until I agreed that I would refer to it as the “goldenbrycebarnes”
31 Jul 2012, 13:51 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-75:
Franctic disfunction.
31 Jul 2012, 13:55 pm
@Nikita-77: Hey Nikita is it cold In your little corner of the world?
31 Jul 2012, 13:57 pm
@Nikita-77:
thats ok.
as long as its not cuntic disfraction.
31 Jul 2012, 14:02 pm
Meyer Bosman’s defence is sound ….. He also gets plenty of ball off the ground . He also has a really good pass . I think he has played pretty well every time he has come onto the field this year . Of the other centres … Steyn is the king …Whitehead reads the game well ……Joordaan has the X-factor .
31 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
Oh dear.
31 Jul 2012, 14:23 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-79:
Sharp as ever!
31 Jul 2012, 14:31 pm
Don’t select the team on what you THINK the opponents will do. Select a team that will play the gameplan that you want to play.
If Lambie is the man best suited at 12 for the game plan, **** SBW then. Select Lambie there and play the way you want to play.
Let him (SBW) worry about a fleet footed Lambie instead ofLambie worry about SBW running over him.
Bosman proved himself to be incapable of scoring a try even with only 5m to go, an open try line begging and the nearest defender about 10m from him. Let’s not even talk about his defense.
31 Jul 2012, 16:04 pm
@Atreides-71: Its the awesome tache
31 Jul 2012, 16:05 pm
@Hondo-65: Whitehead is no so small…..I think he is around 6.1 and 90-95Kg….
31 Jul 2012, 16:07 pm
@nama1-83: I agree 100% but the argument is a little moot to me as Lambie is the exact guy I would use to 12 to negate SBW. Lambie may not smash okes back everytime but he is a very solid defender, if we can have him hitting SBW low each time and get our loosies to target double hits around the ball we can wrap him up.
31 Jul 2012, 16:08 pm
@Skeppie-85: Indeed:
FULL NAME Timothy John
SURNAME Whitehead
HEIGHT 188 cm
WEIGHT 90 Kg
31 Jul 2012, 16:10 pm
@kaksioek-87: And I reckon that 90kg is a little misleading, he is probably middle maybe even upper 90′s. He was a great acquisition for the Sharks, didn’t come to us as a world beater but he can develop into a really good 12.
31 Jul 2012, 16:27 pm
If this is our backline in the upcoming series, we will smoke em all:
15 – Aplon
14 – Hougaard
13 – De Villiers
12 – Steyn
11 – Pietersen
10 – Goosen
09 – Pienaar
31 Jul 2012, 16:59 pm
@nama1-83: everybody worried about SBW, watch aaron cruden!!!!!!!
31 Jul 2012, 17:05 pm
@Skeppie-85:
Everything is relatevistic said Einstein, if you compare Whitehead to De Jong, Lambie or Jacobs for that matter then you are right
However, your specimen iare Styen, Jacques Fourie, JdV, Pieter Muller Et al, then he IS a bit on the undersize
31 Jul 2012, 17:16 pm
@Hondo-91: Moron. Nothing small about Tim. There is however everything small about your brain cell.
31 Jul 2012, 17:20 pm
Hi Captain Sam.
Thanks for La Marseillaise.Never knew words
except for first few lines.
Chilling call to blood..
31 Jul 2012, 17:34 pm
JdV most dangerous player for Stormers on Sat.Bresler most
underrated/praised.
31 Jul 2012, 18:28 pm
@Skeppie-88:
Short list for comparison
P. Muller: 100kg
F. Styen: 100 KG
A. Snyman: 98kg
JdV: 98kg
J. Fourie: 97kg
Whitehead: 88kg
31 Jul 2012, 18:42 pm
Well I can say is ‘ Good luck Freddy Micha-luck ‘
31 Jul 2012, 19:30 pm
Play little Lambie at 12 and the poor wee laddie might never ever play rugby ever again… if anything resembles a lamb to the slaughter that gotta be it…
Only reason Sharks got lucky vs Stormers is Plum got a lucky packet thrown at him from outa heaven.. Both Lambiepambie and the Jordanian were absent.. so he got clever and manipulated proceedings while Coetsee and Fleck remained fast asleep – as they ALWAYS are… and pulled a little rabbit out the hat by playing Viljoen at 15 and Ludick at 14 and JPP at No.13
That what did the trickydickie trick .. Michalak , Viljoen and Ludick with JPP gave the sharkshits some depth of dynamism and then Joe Pietersen misses the all important kick and Ludick goes prancing over unmolested…..
Same as in Durban earlier.. Sharkshits get lucky early on with badly bouncing balls uncollected and its a sharkshit try time…
Now they think they the goddamn bees knees – cause they get lucky in the end zone a little too often…
All I can say is I’m hoping the Chieftains don’t bottle up and choke like Stormers did on the weekend and put the hammer down and show some mettle at how to manhandle a bunch of overfed sardines from the shoals off the coast of Zululand.
31 Jul 2012, 19:33 pm
@fitz1ella-97: If talking c rap was grass?? you woulda sailed through the donkeys @ss a long time ago,
31 Jul 2012, 19:40 pm
sail or saunter I’m a happy go lucky Chiefs fan for this weekend.. not because I’m a secret agent looking for a cheap shot.. I’m simply backing the rightful dutifully deserving team to do whats right for rugby … unless of course they go and suffer the same goddamn self inflicted choking disease that Stormers don’t seem able to shrug off their psyched out dilemma year after dooms bury year.
31 Jul 2012, 19:55 pm
when’s the swimming on.. this rugby sh’ts getting kinda boring..
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