As the Super Rugby competition reaches “denouement”, the French theatrical word for “def ining moment”

As the Super Rugby competition reaches “denouement”, the French theatrical word for “defining moment”, the Sharks have engineered a coup de grace in securing the services of French international Frederic Michalak with immediate affect and for the next 14 months, which means from this weekend until the end of next year’s Super Rugby competition, inclusive of the 2011 Currie Cup.

The Sharks this week looked offshore for a scrumhalf replacement when scrumhalf Conrad Hoffman suffered a competition-ending injury at the weekend against the Waratahs, and Michalak will come to the Sharks initially as a scrumhalf – although he is known primarily as a flyhalf, he has often started at scrumhalf in his 54 Tests for France and was initially a scrumhalf at his home club, Toulouse. In other words he is equally at home in either position.

Michalak is of course returning to the Sharks after two stints in Durban that had differing outcomes. He signed for the Sharks for the 2008 Super 14 but midway though their campaign he suffered a knee injury against the Waratahs in Sydney and did not play again in the competition. By his own volition he chose to come back to Durban for the Currie Cup later that year and played a major role in the Sharks’ first Currie Cup triumph in 12 years.

“It is no surprise that I am here in Durban again,” said Michalak. “I loved my year that I spent with the Sharks and the cherry on the top was definitely winning the Currie Cup trophy. The atmosphere I experienced the night of the final was amongst the best of my career,” he said.

“And I learned to speak English so unlike 2008, there won’t be a problem in terms of the language barrier, and being able to slot in with my old team mates is a big plus factor for me,” the 28-year-old added.

Michalak appears to be out of favour with the French selectors and has chosen to pin his colours to the black and white mast for the remainder of 2011.

And with Patrick Lambie a strong possibility for the Springbok World Cup squad, Michalak will be a vital component of the Sharks’ Currie Cup squad, whether it be at 10 or 9.

Sharks CEO Brian an Zyl said as much: “In the event of injuries, or a depletion of depth due to call-ups to the national squad, a player of his ability and character will provide the Sharks with a refreshing unpredictability.

“He will complement our (attacking) style of play, is a good influence on the players around him on the field, and we welcome him back to our squad.”

Coach John Plumtree added: “It is great to have him back and available to us for selection for this weekend’s visit to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. His arrival could not have been timed better.”

It is likely that Michalak, who arrived in Durban yesterday, will be on the bench against the Cheetahs as scrumhalf cover for Charl McLeod, who will resume as the starting 9 after being benched for Hoffman for the Waratahs match only to replace the injured former Western Province man just 10 minutes into the match.

Hoffman dislocated an elbow and will play no further role in the Sharks’ campaign.

Further, the Sharks yesterday learned that they will be without flank Jean Deysel for the Cheetahs match (and next week’s visit to the Lions) after he was suspended for two weeks by a SANZAR judiciary for a dangerous tackle on a Waratahs centre Tom Carter.

That was nothing compared to the six weeks given to former Durban boy Michael Rhodes who, in Wellington, New Zealand, was banned for six weeks for almost twisting the head off a Highlanders player in Dunedin.

Centre Adi Jacobs is still doubtful but might pass a fitness tomorrow but the good news is that No 8 Ryan Kankowski is available for selection after missing the last three games because of an elbow fracture and is a strong consideration for an immediate comeback to the starting 15 given the loss of Deysel.

by Mike Greenaway www.iol.co.za