S
Steve-o
Guest
http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/default.asp?d...e&id=248975
French International, 25 year old Frederic Michalak, could barely speak a word of English when he arrived in Durban for his very first visit when he was introduced to the media last year.
It was big news and TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and internet media were assembled to see what all the fuss was about. With 50 Test caps for France, his experience was going to prove crucial for a Sharks side that had lost an icon of their own in Butch James and the French maestro was hauled in to replace him.
While the pair have contrasting styles - James the physical, confrontational type and Michalak the midfield magician â€" the belief was that the Sharks couldn’t replace their World Cup hero with just anyone, they needed an experienced campaigner, someone who could be relied upon to deliver while maintaining composure in a backline full of youngsters.
At the press conference that day, the only English spoken from Michalak’s side was through an interpreter, but having greeted Brad Barritt with a “Hey Bru†at training, we managed to get his thoughts on being in Durban and how he’s enjoying his new safari adventure.
“My English â€" It is better,†he laughs.
At the conclusion of the English interview, we chatted in French (See the Podcast Link below) â€" well, we asked English questions that Fred answered in French â€" and he lapsed back into English at the end of it showing that he is starting to get comfortable communicating in the language of his adopted land.
So is he happy being in Durban? “Yes I am,†he admits. “All the players are very friendly, we have a good coach and it’s like a big family at the Sharks. I’m very happy here.â€
Obviously, for a cult figure in France who can’t go out without being swamped by his legion of fans and media followers, coming to the Sharks and then being a part of a failing team would have been detrimental to both his rugby development as well as his status.
So after five wins from five, he does admit that, “It’s nice to be here. There are World Champion players, and that’s good for me to play with them. We have won the games, but it’s not finished yet. We still need to go to New Zealand and Australia and it will be more difficult for us away from Durban.â€
He explains that part of the enjoyment of being in Durban is the fact that he is playing with a good side. “I am happy, there is a whole lot of talent in this team, some talented World Champions - but very young.
“The Sharks have a big pack and that means we will be a better team overall because the line outs and scrums are very good.â€
When drawing comparisons between Super 14 and other rugby competitions he has played in he says: “It is something else. It is not like Heineken Cup or the French Championship, it is like playing Test matches with the French international team against South Africa, Australia or New Zealand.
“All the best players are in the Super 14, it is as physical as a Test match and all the games are played at pace - I like it.â€
For a 25 year old with the world at his feet, playing Super 14 rugby was always a desire of his, not only for the experience, but for his own personal rugby development.
“I think playing in the Super 14 for the Sharks will help me progress, it’s like playing in the World Cup - every week is another tough, difficult game. I like this competition.â€
Against the Blues Fred adapted his own game to the dictates of the run of play, which meant defensively he was called upon to play a greater role than he is known for. “It was important for us to win against them because they are one of the best sides, it was good for our mentality and if we had lost it would have been difficult for the work ahead of us. Now our heads are in the right place and we can move forward.â€
He admits that the conditions in February and March have been tough. “Yes, especially in Durban, but we trained together in the humidity for two months before the competition started, and I feel a lot better because of the training. But it is difficult and we have to work hard.â€
He explains that the conditions have played in role in the way the Sharks have played, admitting though that they will not always cut loose, even with cooler weather ahead of them.
“It all depends on who we play; if we have to kick 10 times against a side who has good lines of defence, then we will kick 10 times - it’s important to play the right game plan. If we can play a running game we will, if we can’t, we kick.â€
Finally the hair. What’s with it?
“It was a challenge to Yannick Nyanga [his team-mate at Toulouse and Fran] to do the same,†he laughs. “Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t, I want to see if he accepts the challenge.â€
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