Bulls to measure Michalak
Blue Bulls backline coach Pieter Rossouw believes nullifying the influence of Sharks flyhalf Frederic Michalak begins with cutting down his space and time.
Michalak has been an influential figure in the Sharks’ campaign since returning from a knee injury which ended his Super 14. Given a consistent run of matches and the chance to grow in combination with scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar and inside centre Frans Steyn, the Frenchman has thrived.
A good performance from him will be central to the success of the Sharks in the Absa Currie Cup final. The Bulls are acutely aware of this and have developed a strategy aimed at ensuring his influence is blunted.
“Any player is vulnerable under pressure and Michalak is no different,” Rossouw told keo.co.za.
“I’ve been really impressed by him this season and we’ll have to put him under pressure to make sure he doesn’t take control of the final because when he gets momentum he is almost impossible to stop. He loves to run, so our defensive organisation will have to be very good.
“I also don’t buy the criticism that he is mentally vulnerable,” he added when probed on Michalak’s ability to cope in pressure matches.
“Perhaps that was the case earlier in his career, but he has 50 caps for France and lots of experience for Toulouse and the Sharks [in the Super 14]. He won’t struggle mentally. That’s not an issue.”
Rossouw did, however, stress that to focus on an individual in a talent-laden Sharks backline would be an error. He highlighted Michalak’s partnership with Pienaar and Steyn, explaining that their differing strengths complemented each other and was part of their success.
“Both Ruan and Frans have good kicking games, where that’s not a strength of Michalak’s,” he explained.
“So they take the pressure off him in that regard and that allows him to focus on his primary strength, which is running at defences and creating opportunities for those around him.
“That’s not to say that Ruan and Frans are limited because they’ve shown in the past that they’re gamebreakers of the highest quality. That makes them so dangerous, they’re so unpredictable.”
No backline can play without a quality platform and eliminating the threat of the above mentioned players will start with gaining the ascendancy at the set phases and breakdown.
The Bulls have performed well in both these facets of play throughout their campaign and Rossouw emphasized how crucial this would be to their goal of winning the title.
“No backline can play without quality ball and while the Sharks have a superb backline they’re no different,” he said.
“If you cut their supply, of which Michalak is a vital part, you win a big part of the battle. That’s our aim.”
By Ryan Vrede
October 21st, 2008 at 10:11 am
#196 grootblousmile: Ek spot net! Gaan een moerse game wees, eintlik jammer daar moet ‘n verloorkant aan hierdie een wees. Baie van my ou Shark pelle moet dit nou, ongelukkig vir hulle, by my kom kyk. Dit gaan rof wees, vir hulle! Ek het van ons laas gepraat het in ‘n gholfbaan ingekoop. Mooipoort net noord van PTA. Jy moet kom kyk ou maat, dis nice!!
October 21st, 2008 at 10:12 am
#199 Dawn: g13g spoor net mars bars en cd-rw’s op.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:14 am
#200 Dawn:
Ek het met hom verlede week gepraat.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:15 am
# Schalk Burger: Lekkerrrrrrr man….. ek sal my Adams Golf hybrid Irons en my King Cobra drivers saambring…. vir-steek-seker !!
October 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
Man walks into the doctor’s office.
DOCTOR: What’s wrong today?
MAN: I don’t know, doc…it’s my arse…it’s making strange noises…listen!
[The man bends over and one can clearly hear the following coming from his arse: "Die Bloubul weet nie van verloor af nie..."]
DOCTOR: It’s nothing to worry about, you’ll find a lot of arseholes singing that this weekend!
October 21st, 2008 at 10:18 am
Yes, Simon Borchardt started working as a blogger for SASI yesterday.
Read his stuff on www dot sportsillustrated dot co dot za
October 21st, 2008 at 10:19 am
#203 Slappes:
Ek sien.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:21 am
#206 WP Till I Die:
Only the blog or editor of the mag as well?
October 21st, 2008 at 10:23 am
#207 Dawn:
Nie eers n f$kken goodbye party nie!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 10:25 am
#209 Slappes:
HM Keo’s budget does not allow for such flippancies.
He runs a frugal ship.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:31 am
Show’s how observant I am. Didn’t even notice a face was missing below. They are all at the bottom looking up at us. Imagine if we were not feeling well.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am
#211 Sniper: You mean we might just Luke on them ??
October 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am
#212 grootblousmile: Well that and much much more.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am
“Bulls to measure Michalak” WHY? please God don’t tell me we’ve signed the french @@@@
October 21st, 2008 at 11:17 am
#100 Sniper:
Obviously they’re already predicting the outcome…
October 21st, 2008 at 11:52 am
#100 Sniper: Good vibe starting here in Durbs. Flags already flying out the cars. Radio stations asking everyone to wear Shark jersey from today or if they don’t have any just wear something black in support of the team. Vibe starting early in the week thought it would only start from Friday. Good old Durbs we know how to support our team. Cant wait going to be a great game.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:53 am
#211 Sniper: lol. good one.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
#214 DEE DAH:
The question is what are they measuring
October 21st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
#216 Puma: Wait till the loftus nutters arrive!!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
i have 3 tickets for the game @ R 332.00 per ticket (computicket prices) on the east upper stand.
anyone interested
October 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Wonder if Simon will push the racial theme there as well.
He is, after all, very liberal.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Van die os op die jas: hoe is Michalak se lakwerk?
October 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
#219 BULLETHEAD Jnr: Probably be even greater the vibe. We know they are coming but thats a good thing. Lovely vibe starting here already yesterday nothing much but today seen quiet a few Shark flags out of car windows already and tomorrow everyone will start to wear their jersey too. Great feeling.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
#24 Wezwp: In term of attacking play,i completely agree with you
The only european FH which comes close to him in term of attacking play is Cipriani.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
#17 Bod:
Soccer? Please keep girls sports off this forum
October 21st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Blue Bulls backline coach Pieter Rossouw believes nullifying the influence of Sharks flyhalf Frederic Michalak begins with cutting down his space and time.
Damn insightful that!