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 9:03 am
I hope this Watson issue does not overshadowe final.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:04 am
#90 gunther:
Yes they are a special bunch of ****, i’m sure the sharks are having nightmares.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:04 am
#93 WP Till I Die: #92 Dawn: Finals are so boring if WP are not part of it. Do you guys agree?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:04 am
#96 Ek sê my sê, ek sê:
#99 Sniper: It’s not lack of vibe….. it’s called stress!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:05 am
#100 greatest13gerber: I think it has.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:05 am
#98 greatest13gerber:
One word…………………….Dictionary…………………
October 21st, 2008 at 9:06 am
jeeepers boys, first a week of Look Watson, now we talking soccer. Dammit, whats next, Keo advertising in *** Pride (no offence to our *** friends out there). Lets talk rugby!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SSSSSSSSSSSSharks!!!!!!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:06 am
#102 Sniper:
Not really. Any rugby’s good.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
#103 Staal:
Hoeveel reen het julle nou al gehad? Ek staan al op 48mm vir die maand.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
#76 WP Till I Die:
What is this in English.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
#106 Skiballas:
You’ll be surprised how many bloggers on here are ***.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
#102 Sniper: so you’ve been having a sieriaaaasly boring time in the last few years….
October 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
#109 Dawn:
I like Farsi.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:09 am
#108 Ek sê my sê, ek sê: nie so baie soos daar by jou nie…17mm.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:09 am
#110 WP Till I Die: Hence the no offence!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am
#112 WP Till I Die: Is Farsi a man/woman?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am
#104 Sniper:
I hav heartd that players are forbidden to speak media about Luke affair. Also media warned not ask questions about this com final
October 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am
#107 Dawn: Suppose you right. Don’t know how to win anything anymore.
#111 Staal: For sure
October 21st, 2008 at 9:11 am
#99 Sniper: Yes, of course, you know how crappy it is when your team is in the final but you know you have no chance of winning because of kaplan clueless?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:12 am
#116 greatest13gerber: Bob’s their uncle. Shut up or ship out that is the message.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:12 am
#110 WP Till I Die:
becuqse they all from CT??
October 21st, 2008 at 9:12 am
#100 greatest13gerber: Watson doesn’t play for Bulls/Sharks.
Having said that, I wonder who the single “prominent” player is who supports Puke – JDV? Bekker? Janjtes? Who knows, but it seems the players don’t give a toss about him…
Watson revolt a real threat
Liam del Carme
Johannesburg – The investigation into remarks allegedly made by Springbok loose forward Luke Watson is likely to be completed only on Wednesday.
But despite an emphatic denial by SA Rugby, senior members of the national side are considering a boycott of the Springbok tour of Britain next month if Watson is included.
Christo Ferreira, the SA Rugby Union’s manager of legal affairs, told Stephen Nell on Monday that the investigation by Durban lawyer Dekker Govender was not likely to be completed before Wednesday.
Watson is alleged to have said in a recent speech that he had to restrain himself from vomiting on the Springbok jersey. It was also reported that he had railed again Afrikaners, referring to them as “Dutchmen.”
Andy Marinos, acting managing director of SA Rugby, on Monday denied that several Springboks might boycott the November tour if Watson were chosen for the squad.
However, a number of players have indicated that they would reconsider their participation.
The Johannesburg newspaper Beeld has learnt from a reliable source that “the players feel strongly about what Watson said”.
The boycott threat was unofficial, but had “not been made lightly”.
Hard to select Watson on merit
According to the source, only one prominent player still supported Watson. “The guys are the **** in for him; and I’m talking about black and white players.
“It’s probably a good thing that he won’t be playing in the Currie Cup final, because he might have left the field in a poor condition.”
The fact that it will be hard to select Watson on merit makes the task of the selectors a lot easier.
South Africa has an abundance of top-class loose forwards and it is highly unlikely that Watson will find himself, as in this year’s Tri-Nations series, in the national squad.
“The players were probably a little emotional, initially, but I believe the storm has passed because I don’t think Watson will be selected,” the insider said.
“I don’t think we should have sleepless nights about this matter. We may have had the cart in front of the horse.”
Marinos said on Monday he had spoken to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and Bok captain John Smit last Friday and had also met with the players’ association.
“These were previously arranged operational meetings. At no stage were any verbal or written threats received in this regard,” Marinos said, adding that there was no truth in the rumours of a boycott.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am
#118 BlueBlood: Kaplan is from Durban. Did you know that?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am
#122 wooden spoon: please don’t bring luke into non luke threads.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am
#118 BlueBlood: if Bulls lose this match…it would only be cause they scored less points than the Sharks IMo…….. no other reason but theat the Sharks were better…no ref involvement…
and visa versa….
October 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am
#124 BlueBlood: It’s a Kaplan conspiracy.
It’s a topical issue – see the comments about the CC final in the article. It’s all fair game anyways….
October 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am
#122 wooden spoon:
Watson not on anyon xmas list
seriouisly. How can Luke be in same side as Bakkies and Victor after all this???
very uncomfortible and awkwardf
October 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
#123 Sniper:
am not supriosed. Kaplan has serious bias for englishg speakers
October 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
#124 BlueBlood: The time is now. Sharks slogan to Kaplan.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:18 am
#128 greatest13gerber: He doesn’t like ******** – is that what you saying? Good mate with Watson then.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:20 am
Blueblood is preparing himself mentaly for an excuse when the Bulls lose. Quite sad if you ask me.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:20 am
#130 Sniper:
history show kaplan is CT crony
October 21st, 2008 at 9:21 am
#131 Ek sê my sê, ek sê: In Psychology it is called acceptance.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:21 am
#131 Ek sê my sê, ek sê:
don’t speak early. We wil see who bends over com weekend.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:21 am
#132 greatest13gerber: Which history book are you referring to?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am
#103 Sniper: hmmm, they have been boring for som time now
October 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am
#134 greatest13gerber: Bends over. Sounds a bit ***** to me.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
#136 gunther: You right. Forgotten what it is like to win silverware.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
#134 greatest13gerber:
That will probably be Wynand………………
October 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
#135 Sniper:
Kaplan has noty show parity in his refering for longtime now. Esp concern NTvl. He plays to be centyre of attention.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
I thinl I have caught Gerber’s spelling virus, either that or its the aluminium in the water..
October 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
#134 greatest13gerber:
Time to have some black coffee.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:24 am
#141 gunther:
He doesn’t have a spelling problem, he’s pissed.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
#142 Dawn:
I preferr white my friend
October 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
#133 Sniper:
I have accepted that we will have a huge party after the game. G13G, you are invited.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
#122 wooden spoon:
Adi Jacobs.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:26 am
#140 greatest13gerber: I think you are referring to Katzenelenbogen. He used to referee in the Northern Trasvaal days. Kaplan has never reffed a NTvl game.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:26 am
#144 greatest13gerber:
Off course you do………………….(Racist)
October 21st, 2008 at 9:27 am
#147 Sniper: also caught that g13g virus.
Trasvaal what the …
October 21st, 2008 at 9:28 am
#134 greatest13gerber:
Whoa…that is a seriously homophiliac statement.
You do know what a bender is, don’t you?