As Ettienne Fynn sinks into his chair and prepares to deliver a reasoned response it's hard not to contrast this image with one of the former Sharks front-ranker getting ready to set the scrum.

Fynn has never been one for hyperbolic theatrics when engaging opposition front rankers, but during this interview he breaks away from his laconic tendencies.

"I think the Sharks could have been more professional when they told me they were not going to require my services," says an animated Fynn.

For most, Fynn's disappearance from the Sharks set-up has largely gone unnoticed but the player officially retired from the game at the end of last year.

'Fynn's disappearance from the Sharks set-up has largely gone unnoticed'

The pinnacle of his career was two Springbok Test caps under Harry Viljoen in 2001 after he had played a pivotal role in the Sharks successful Super 12 campaign that year.

"I was asked to leave during the so-called purging of the Sharks at the end of 2003. You remember the time when Brad Macleod Henderson, Lukas van Biljon and Ollie le Roux were also cut from the squad," he adds.

Whereas Macleod-Henderson, Lukas van Biljon and Le Roux, albeit after a well publicised CCMA hearing with the Sharks top brass, have both sought reincarnation at Rotherham in England, the Lions and Free State Cheetahs respectively, Fynn quietly left the scene at the end of 2004 when his contract was not renewed.

"Former Sharks coach Kevin Putt had told me in 2003 that I was not in his plans," said Fynn.

"It was a bit confusing because he was saying on the one hand I was a good team man and good for morale but the next thing I wasn't in his plans. He was contradicting himself.

'I felt I still could go on despite the injuries.'

"The problem I had at the time was that most of the big provinces had negotiated their contracts for the next season, and clubs in Europe had also finalised their squads.

So I didn't have a chance to get in contact with other teams. I decided that I would see out my contract with the Sharks."

Fynn admits that he was plagued with injuries in 2003 but in 2004 he lasted the season playing for the Wildebeeste and his club Jaguars in the Premier Division.

"I felt I still could go on despite the injuries. I mean I'm a Durban boy and a Shark through and through. I didn't want to leave the province. I've been a supporter of Natal since the Yardley Cup days so I stayed in Durban."

However, there would be no fairy tale comeback as Fynn eventually retired in 2004.

At the age of 31 some would feel that as a prop his best years were yet to come, with front row forwards usually playing their best rugby in the twilight of their careers.

But, for Fynn his time was up and he has now harnessed his passion for the game by coaching and commentating on pay-channel SuperSport.

"My coaching at Wentworth and commentating keep me busy," said Fynn.

"I must say that I'm thoroughly enjoying coaching at Wentworth."

Even though Wentworth are a first division club Fynn's efforts didn't go unnoticed and the forwards' technician was heralded to the KwaZulu-Natal amateur rugby team this year where he assisted Sean Everitt.

"It's been a great experience with the amateurs," said Fynn. "Sean is a great guy to work with and the team were unlucky to not make the finals.

It was after this clash that Fynn also vented his ire at the lack of transformation in the Bulls amateur team.

"I was just disgusted at what I saw," he said visibly unhappy a the unsavoury moment.

"In our KwaZulu-Natal amateur team we selected up to 10 players of colour per game. When we played the Bulls they only had three black players in their squad.

At one stage they only had one black player on the field. Although, there are no official quotas, this goes against the ethos of the amateur competition which is meant to provide opportunities for players from disadvantaged communities."

Fynn found an ally in Blue Bulls chief executive Gary Boshoff, who praised the former Shark for speaking out and both agreed that if provinces continue to ignore transformation there would be a case for reintroducing quotas.

"I actually laid an official complaint with SA Rugby and they were meant to have dealt with it," Fynn concluded.

Now during the off season Fynn is taking a break before preparing for 2006 when he plans to continue coaching. One thing is certain - Ettienne Fynn is on the rise again.

• This article was originally published on page 21 of Daily News on November 10, 2005