Aplon has aptitude to astound
22 Jul 2010
JON CARDINELLI believes Gio Aplon will offer the Boks the attacking impetus they’ve been lacking in this year’s Tri-Nations.
It seems unfair to pick at the Bok attack considering the underwhelming performance by the forwards in the past two matches. The All Blacks were superior at the collisions and used this momentum cleverly, punching holes through the Bok defence first through their relentless forward rumble and then through their incisive backs.
The fact is confirmed by a try-scoring stat that reads New Zealand 8, South Africa 2. The Bok attack has had very few opportunities, and will continue to struggle unless the fatties pull finger and overpower their Antipodean opponents.
Notwithstanding the forward failings, the Bok backline has lacked any real menace. The counter-attacking display and option-taking by the back three has been disappointing, and while fingers will be pointed at the players, some of the blame should be laid at the selectors’ door.
Peter de Villiers favoured Jean de Villiers at right wing in the first two Tests, and given the player’s defensive reputation from an organisational point of view, the Bok coach wasn’t completely off the mark. But in picking De Villiers, the Bok brains trust gave the game away. As long as De Villiers played wing for the Boks, the opposition could kick on his wing knowing there would be no kick return of substance, nor any counter-attacking threat.
Aplon highlighted his value in the dying stages of the Test in Wellington. The diminutive runner was a star in the Super 14 with those gliding runs from deep, and even though the All Blacks kept him honest, he still managed to give the Boks some go-forward. The lightest player on the paddock, he’s rarely smashed back in the tackle. Even when defenders manage to catch him, he still manages to create sufficient space to keep his team going forward.
The Boks have lacked a player as exciting as Aplon for some time. Bryan Habana may be on the verge of breaking Joost van der Westhuizen’s try-scoring record of 38, but the stats will confirm that his strike rate has dropped significantly since the 2007 World Cup (eight tries in 26 Tests since 2008). The same goes for the All Blacks’ Joe Rokocoko, who wouldn’t be considered for the 22 if Sitiveni Sivivatu was fit.
Aplon, Israel Dagg and James O’Connor are the kind of players who give the rugby lover that little bit extra. Those that appreciated the talent of Christian Cullen and Joe Roff will know what I’m talking about. These players lend the attack an unpredictable edge, and in the modern age where defensive lines are so well organised, you need somebody with that uncoachable attacking quality.
If the Boks manage to establish a platform this Saturday, they’re sure to benefit from the crisp service of Ruan Pienaar at the breakdown. The momentum will allow Morne Steyn to first win field position and then unleash his hard-running centres, who will surely target the lightweight Aussie midfield of Matt Giteau and Rob Horne. In the subsequent phases, a runner like Aplon will be a factor as positional mismatches are bound to occur.
The Wallabies will show an appreciation for territory and, like the All Blacks, may invite the Boks to counter-attack against their well organised defence. Aplon offers the Boks options in this respect. His massive left boot has been well used by the Stormers to gain ground from the back, and as was evident in the Super 14, he’s so lethal when he’s afforded space to run from deep.
The Boks needed to outplay the All Blacks’ pack in Auckland and Wellington to win those Tests, but the backline selections were always going to limit their attack. De Villiers’ suspension has now forced the selectors to pick Aplon, and if the Bok forwards deliver at Suncorp Stadium, South Africa should reap the benefits of Aplon’s astounding ability.
75 Comments
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22 Jul 2010, 10:53 am
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-24:
Cannot understand how GvH has the nick Shadoooooow
Usain Bolt, Tyson ***, Asafa Powell suit the nick Shadow
Their muscular, explosive frames fly past like a Shadow
GdV is more like Casper The Ghost
22 Jul 2010, 11:06 am
In my eyes, there is one aspect of Pierre Spies’s game that prevents him from being counted amongst one of the great nr. 8′s in world rugby, and that’s his ability to adapt his game to the circumstances on field.
Guys like Imanol Harinordoquy and Annie Parisse have the ability to up the intensity and make their presence felt in the tight loose, allowing the other loose forwards more freedom and giving them the chance to contest the breakdowns.
That said, when the game opens up they’re always at hand to link up and play the perfect eighthman role.
The latter of which we all know Pierre Spies thrives in, but it’s the very intense and physical test conditions where he is often found wanting.
My nr 8 for the Boks would be Duane Vermeulen. I know he is young and inexperienced, but I believe he has the talent to be the complete nr 8.
22 Jul 2010, 11:13 am
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-52:
I agree. Spies has a wingers eye for the gap and determination to cross the line, but is weak in most areas needed by great 8s.
22 Jul 2010, 11:19 am
@David(David)-53: one wonders how he’d cope with the other fundamentals of wing play such as kicking, positioning and taking high balls
22 Jul 2010, 11:21 am
A very brave skillful midget, but he’s just too small.
22 Jul 2010, 11:24 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-54:
He actually fielded and found a pretty long touch on Saturday. Seeing that part of the 8th mans job, nowadays, is to fall back and field the high balls, it shouldn’t be a problem. His biggest weakness at wing, I believe, is his defensive tackling technique in a head to head situation against an experienced wing.
22 Jul 2010, 11:26 am
@David(David)-56: wings tackle?
22 Jul 2010, 11:30 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: couldnt agree more ,the springboks have no plan B -the forwards have been murdered at the breakdown -we can write articles about having a real exciting player ,but untill out forwards retain ball and impose themselves in the colisions -and win our set pieces then how can we expect aplon to to get the ball at the wing ! haha imo bring back jpp he looks hungry when he`s been on ,he so big and quick ! give aplon the chance ,if he doesnt provide bring back the ex incumbent
22 Jul 2010, 11:33 am
What do you think a young and fast team like this would be like?
1 Beast
2 Tiaan Liebenberg
3 Werner Kruger
4 Franco vd Merwe
5 Andries Becker
6 Heinrich Brussouw
7 Willem Alberts
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Sarel Pretorius
10 Ruan Pienaar
11 Lwazi Mvovo
12 Juan de Jongh
13 Francois Houghaard
14 Gio Aplon
15 Patrick Lambie
16 Coenie Oosthuizen
17 Deon Fourie
18 Flip van der Merwe
19 Dewalt Potgieter
20 Peter Grant
21 Lionel Mapoe
22 Riaan Viljoen
Would be interesting to see what they could achieve in my opinion. Backline a bit on the light side in terms of size – but what they lack in size they have in heart and speed.
In fact I think that backline would be quite deadly. Ive excluded as many current 1st team Boks as possible. I reckon they would give this squad a run for their money:
1 Gurthro Steenkamp
2 John Smit
3 BJ Botha
4 Danie Rossouw
5 Victor Matfield
6 Schalk Burger
7 Juan Smith
8 Ryan Kankowski
9 Fourie du Preez
10 Morne Steyn
11 Bryan Habana
12 Jean de Villiers
13 Jacques Fourie
14 JP Pietersen
15 Zane Kirchner
16 CJ van der Linde
17 Chilliboy Ralepelle
18 Bakkies Botha
19 Francois Louw
20 Ricky Januarie
21 Butch James
22 Frans Steyn
Dont know why Div doesnt try things like this. Kinda warm up matches for test series and Tri Nations. Best way to see who are youre performing players. Kind of like an SA Barbarians squad.
22 Jul 2010, 11:34 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-57: jpp monster tackler haha
22 Jul 2010, 11:39 am
Obviously a combo of the above teams would make for a very strong Springbok squad… kinda like this (injured players included):
1 Gurthro Steenkamp/ Beast
2 Bismarck/ Tiaan Liebenberg
3 Werner Kruger
4 Danie Rossouw
5 Vic Matfield/ Becker
6 Brussouw
7 Juan Smith
8 Duane Vermeulen/ Pierre Spies
9 Fourie du Preez/ Ruaan Pienaar
10 Morne Steyn
11 Habana
12 Juan de Jongh
13 Jacques Fourie/ Francois Houghaard
14 Aplon
15 Frans Steyn/ Riaan Viljoen
22 Jul 2010, 11:52 am
I think Aplon will be shown up this weekend.
The sad thing is, it is not really his fault!
The coaching staff have not dealt with the key problem. Namely we do not have a quick fetcher to compete for the ball. This means that we allowed the All Blacks to keep us under pressure for 2 games. All our other problems (with the exception of January – who is by definition a problem) stem from this.
The new loose trio is worse if anything. The fact is that there should be a fetcher on tour. It is sad that Brussouw is not fit, but then Jean Deysel or Deon Stegmann should have been brought in.
Note that the All Blacks did to the boks exactly what the Bulls did to the Stormers in the S14 final. Note the similarities, same no 6 and 7. Same whinging about the ref.
Prediction Australia by 10+. Believe me it hurts to say it!
22 Jul 2010, 12:00 pm
@Predawn (Great White Shark)(Predawn)-50:
I certainly watched the Super 14, Gio did very well. But as we all know after the last two test matches, S14 form counts for nothing when it comes to the real deal – test rugby.
22 Jul 2010, 12:22 pm
@A B S(A B S)-62: Agreed on the fact that the dumb selections at loose forwards could very well cost us this game, disagree on Aplon being shown up. if anything our backline is now in a better position to do damage… all dependant on wether we see the ball this game or not.
22 Jul 2010, 12:28 pm
I wouldn’t be too surprised if Aplon moves to fullback by the end of year tour. With JP Pietersen returing from injury, and looking in reasonable nick for the Sharks last weekend, I think Zane Kirchner’s days in the Bok team linr-up may be numbdered.
Although, this issue with Frans Steyn should also be resolved. The way in which the story between him and PDV was portrayed in the build-up to the Wales game, it seemed like Frans didn’t want to play for the Boks. If that’s the attitude he really displayed, then he should correctly be discarded from the team. But his talents are sorely missed in the Bok team. Patrick Lambie should be groomed as Bok fullback, starting from the end of year tour.
Wynand Olivier should also be on his last game as first choice centre. An in-form, more explosive and creative Juan de Jongh is waiting!!!
22 Jul 2010, 12:29 pm
as long as january never ever ever ever ever plays for the Boks again, then i’m happy
22 Jul 2010, 12:44 pm
Congratulations to Gio Aplon! Well derserved starting position in squad! His ability to run and create space is of the highest quality, and dont forget about his fantastic kicking abilities! With Aplon there Aus and NZ will think twice before sending a needless kick downfield, because suddenly there will be bigger risks if the kick is not a good one
Aplon will take a lot of pressure of Habana as well as everyone was looking towards him for the spark in the team… dont be surprised if Habana comes out and plays a sreemer!
Looking forward to the Game! Hope to see de Jongh get a run….all exciting stuff!!Boks to take this one i believe! They just too good to lose three in a row!
22 Jul 2010, 14:00 pm
We are not going to score if we do not get more forwards going for the ball and better support our player with the ball going down!
The game plain needs changing!
Must say I think those Aussie looseforwards are going to win them the game(and of course there scrumhalf and flyhalf) Please oh please their flyhalf do always first look for a gap before he start thinking of passing – tackle him!!!, he is not going to pass!
22 Jul 2010, 14:26 pm
Aplon was the best counter attacking back in the Super 14. FACT
Im glad the guy is getting a chance , always rated him higher than Nokwe , Ndugane , Chavangha , a far more complete player with more than just raw pace.
Don’t have much hope for Saturday. Die manne gaan moet uithaal en wys
22 Jul 2010, 17:11 pm
Aplon = Road Kill
Yeh he had one dart but he stood back and watched a try being scored on his wing. He didn’t want to mix it.
Think back to ‘pocket Rocket’. More skill than Aplon but was adjudged ‘too small’ although bigger than Aplon.
I still have the vission of Slap Tjips being hit by an Aussie wing and being pushed back 10 or 15 meters before collapsing over the sideline whilst the Aussie scored. What chance Aplon? Zip. Hougard should be on the wing with Aplon the water boy.
22 Jul 2010, 17:22 pm
Aplon should be given a chance remember what happened to brent russel, he was a talented player who was denied caps because he was deemed too small, instead useless lumps like dean hall willemse and a few other came and went making absolutely no impression. If size was that important in rugby then the Boks would never have lost a game. George smith and pocock would never get a game for SA based on their size, neither would mccaw who is around the same size as Luke Watson who Jake White also deemed to be too small
22 Jul 2010, 17:37 pm
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-66: After Saturday, my fling with Meisiekind comes to an end! He can now retire in the Currie Cup with international calls to play for the Bulls.
22 Jul 2010, 17:44 pm
if the boks take another pasting I think it is 50/50 Twakkie doesn’t last the year.
23 Jul 2010, 05:15 am
Steyn at 15
Aplon at 14 He is fast and can help at full back with steyn running from the back
Plus Habana can look for more offensive work (intercepts0 with the Aplon as 2nd full back
Habana at 11 (who else?)
23 Jul 2010, 13:15 pm
Aplon is great, but we need the pressure and talent of Frans Steyn too.
PdV knows that and will recall him once he has swallowed enough of his vile ego he is puking on atm. The only worry is if it’ll be in time or too little too late.
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