Melck is the toast of Munster
The big 25-year-old South African back rower was going through a rough patch in his rugby career, while Munster desperately needed a quality back-up player to help steer them through an injury crisis.
Munster kept their side of the bargain by giving Melck much needed game time, and the player has responded by contributing admirably to an unbeaten Magners League run.
When Munster started running out of fit back row players, Melck was sourced through Robbie Brink, the South African and Western Province flanker who had a couple of seasons with Ulster.
It happened quickly, with Munster offering Melck a short-term contract while the player negotiated a release with Western Province to pave the way for his move to Ireland.
It couldn’t have happened at a better time for Melck, who admitted: “I had a very enjoyable 2007 but things just didn’t go according to plan this season. “Western Province has traditionally been strong in the back row department; this season I just wasn’t in favour and it was pretty frustrating,” said the former Springbok under-21 player.
Time was when mention of Munster wouldn’t have meant much in South Africa. These days though, people are taking real interest in Munster.
Melck admits to been “blown away” when watching the 2008 decider against Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium.
“People were glued to the televisions, all of them thinking there was just no way Toulouse could win it, given the intensity of the support for Munster. I don’t think anyone back home has seen anything like it. It must have been such a special day for the team,” he said.
With that memory, Melck recalls almost having to pinch himself en-route to Ireland to meet his new colleagues. He admits: “It was an exciting move and I knew from the very first meeting with the players, and the early training sessions, that I had made a very good decision. There’s an amazing atmosphere in the camp; the coaching is exceptional and the players are thoroughly professional.
“Good coaching is one thing, but the players have a very serious work ethic that’s not driven by the coaches, not prompted by anyone but themselves. The senior players lead from the front; then you add the sense of fun and enjoyment that’s part of it. It makes it a pretty special team to be involved with,” he said.
Tries against Cardiff and Leinster have highlighted the impact he has made, but Melck prefers to keep a low profile. Indeed he pointed to a sense of amusement amongst friends back home that he should be scoring tries at all.
“They’re asking me what the hell is going on because I wouldn’t be noted as a prolific try scorer. I think I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time,” he said.
The reaction to Melck on the terraces and in camp have been positive, but he plays that down. “The thing about playing for a team like Munster is that you get scoring chances because there are so many great high-quality players around you.
“For me it’s about trying to play to the highest level I can, week in and week out. I think both my tries were more about finishing off the hard work done by others; Keith Earls paved the way for that try against Leinster, so I’ve him to thank for that,” he said.
Melck has two months of his contract left and it seems he would be keen to stay on.
But Munster’s primary back row forward signing, New Zealander Nick Williams, has now arrived. The successful recovery of Williams and Denis Leamy from injury will likely close out the option of retaining Melck. Meanwhile, he is just keen to get on with the job.
He has enjoyed the physicality and the confrontational nature of matches in the Magners League and he would love the opportunity to play Heineken Cup.
“As a player, I’ve always set myself goals; I’ve enjoyed the intensity of the Magners League; would love a crack at the Heineken Cup. I’m sure it’s another step up. For me, I’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” he said.
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