LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Sharks Sign Rugby Legend to Coaching Ranks
The Cronulla Sharks have made a distinctive coaching addition in recent NRL history, aiming to clinch their first premiership in a decade.
The club has appointed French rugby union icon Frederic Michalak to join Craig Fitzgibbon's coaching staff starting mid-2026.
A four-time Rugby World Cup representative for France, Michalak is celebrated as one of the most accomplished fly-halves in the professional era. He will link up with the Sharks after fulfilling his obligations with European club Racing 92.
At 43, Michalak will take over from longtime assistant Josh Hannay, who is leaving to assume a senior coaching position with the Gold Coast Titans.
Michalak is internationally recognized for his creativity, vision, and top-notch game management skills, having amassed 436 points in 77 Tests for France over a 15-year career that also included experiences with clubs like Toulouse, Toulon, Lyon, and South Africa's Sharks.
Although he has never played rugby league, Michalak is familiar with the NRL framework and the Sharks' organization. He previously served as a kicking and skills consultant for the Sharks during the 2022 season, a period when star half Nicho Hynes secured the Dally M Medal.