News

Sharks still chasing Hernandez

July 13 2009

Will he? Won't he? Sharks fans are still waiting with baited breath on the news of the possible signature of Argentinean fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez.

Will Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn set to miss much of the Currie Cup due to national duty, finding a top-class fly-half has become imperative for the Durbanites.

In Hernandez, the Sharks looked to have found a replacement for Fred Michalak as their latest high-profile import, but negotiations have been slow, apparently due to two-time Top 14 winner's price tag.

'El Mago' still appears on the Stade Français website as a member of the Parisian club's squad for next season, but Sharks Head Coach John Plumtree has said that securing the Pumas playmaker's signature is the top priority in Durban.

"I hope he can join us as quickly as possible," said Plumtree in the wake of the Sharks 29-15 loss at Newlands.

"We are working at finalising his contract and hopefully the negotiations can this be concluded this week."

Stade Français are willing to release Hernandez as they could do with the extra money, but president Max Guazzini said that if Hernandez leaves, it would have to be overseas, as he is not willing to lose one of the world's best players top a rival French club.

It has been reportedly in the French press that Hernandez is willing to take a pay cut to come to South Africa as he searches for a new personal challenge. He is also believed to be attracted by playing in the Southern Hemisphere as it would allow him to spend more time in is his native Argentina.

"Hernandez will be a great asset when we are able to get him and along with Waylon Murray, who is nearing full fitness, we will already look much better," said Plumtree.

"We have to be clever when contracting players. It doesn't help to have a lot of Springboks if you want to win the Currie Cup. You have to look at players who will be available all year long."

The Sharks started with 19-year-old Guy Cronjé at fly-half on Saturday, but were found wanting as WP used the boots of he experienced Willem de Waal and Peter Grant top win the territorial battle.

"Our tactical kicks were also not as long and as accurate as WP's. With Willem de Waal and Peter Grant in their team, we were worried about this before the match already," said Plumtree.

"We see Guy as an excellent player for the future and the Currie Cup is partly about developing talent,"

"It can happen that you experience problems but there are not many good fly-halves to choose from. Guy will have to work on his kicking, but he has a great deal of natural talent. We have no other option than to develop players in the absence of Ruan and Frans.

"In the Super 14, when our team was at full strength, I already had problems with depth. We will have to fight on and see if we can score a few victories and hang on till the Boks return. It would be wonderful if by that time, we are still in touch with the contenders, otherwise we will look forward to next year's Super 14."