Hernandez heads south

funky penguin

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2009/0727/1224251466171.html

Juan Martin Hernandez has joined the Natal Sharks from Paris club Stade Francais, the Durban club announced today. The 26-year-old, who can play at both outhalf and fullback, has signed a 12-month deal after ending his six-year association with the Parisian club.

“He will be a massive boost to the Sharks’ backline, bringing with him a wealth of international experience and an impressive kicking game,” Sharks coach John Plumtree said on his club’s official website, www.sharksrugby.co.za.

The statement added that the contract of the 26-year-old includes a coaching role at the club’s academy, where he will spend time with junior players at grass-roots level.

Hernandez won the Top 14 championship with Stade in 2004 and 2006 and was one of the stand-out players in the 2007 World Cup finals held in France, leading the Pumas to a third-placed finish.

He is the fourth Argentinian to play for the Sharks, after Jorge Allen, Federico Mendez and Nicolas Miranda.

Hernandez is believed to have turned down a number of Top 14 clubs in favour of

a move to the southern hemisphere, where Stade manager Ewen McKenzie reckons the Pumas star will flourish.

“I think Super 14 rugby will be different,” added the former Australia front-row forward. “It’s like a sprint race — it’s only three months — and I think he will appreciate that. He’ll get an off-season.

“I think it’ll be a nice change. He’s done six years in France but I’m sure he’ll be back very soon, somewhere.”

chupacabra

I guess this signals the retirement of Stefan Terblanche. For anyone who cares about South African rugby, Terblanche is an absolute legend of the game down there, one of the only great "old timers" left in the game.

anonymous_joe

For a season only isn't it?

I'd be wondering if he's waiting for someone else to finish up somewhere or something along those lines.

He's one of the best in the world, and any team would take him at either out-half or full back.

funky penguin

anonymous_joe wrote: »

For a season only isn't it?

I'd be wondering if he's waiting for someone else to finish up somewhere or something along those lines.

He's one of the best in the world, and any team would take him at either out-half or full back.

Yeah, and he knows this, probably why he's happy to go on a year's sojourn - he'll have no problem getting back into a european team if he wants. Or maybe he just wants to give the SH a shot, see if he likes it.

bamboozle

chupacabra wrote: »

I guess this signals the retirement of Stefan Terblanche. For anyone who cares about South African rugby, Terblanche is an absolute legend of the game down there, one of the only great "old timers" left in the game.

i'd say Dennis Hickie still has nightmares about him!

DBraithwaite

Is it just me or was there rumors about him coming to Leinster?

pucan

chupacabra wrote: »

I guess this signals the retirement of Stefan Terblanche. For anyone who cares about South African rugby, Terblanche is an absolute legend of the game down there, one of the only great "old timers" left in the game.

He's still got a few seasons of Currie Cup in him. He could easily be the utility back on the bench for the S-14 sharks next year. Great player.