Gio Aplon is small of stature at 74kg, but Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is delighted that he can bank on the right wing’s big heart for Saturday’s Super 14 semi-final against the Waratahs.
Springbok lock Bakkies Botha on Monday appeared in front of a judicial officer for allegedly dangerously entering a ruck, after which Aplon had to receive medical attention.
Coetzee on Monday expressed his amazement that Aplon was able to get up and play on.
“I have a lot of respect for Gio for staying on the field after such an impact,” said Coetzee.
“He really showed character and that is what is wonderful about the players in this team. They go to war and fight – nobody hides.”
Aplon did not just get up, but also created one of the Stormers’ tries of the season for Jaque Fourie. He plucked his own kick over the Bulls’ defence from the air, drew a defender and fed the Bok centre for the try.
While a tough and physical clash is expected against the Waratahs, Aplon’s ability as a gamebreaker can prove decisive.
The Stormers know that a huge heart beats in that small body.
“All I can say is that I’m more than happy with Gio’s contribution. He performed really well on the wing at the start of the season and adapted quickly to fullback when we needed him there,” said Coetzee.
“Gio is excellent on attack and his contact skills are particularly good. He also does not hide on defence.
“He’s a natural player with incredible pace and that’s something you can’t coach. His decision-making is also good.”
Aplon’s experience of playing fullback will also be important as the Waratahs are likely to create holes in the Stormers’ watertight defence with some well-placed kicks.
On average the Waratahs kick 27 times per match against the 28 of the Stormers. The Bulls and Sharks are the teams that kick the most – on average 29 times per game.
“Their kicking really impresses me,” Coetzee says of the Waratahs.
“Berrick Barnes is an accurate kicker. They also have Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell with his left foot. That gives them options all over the field. If you can’t get through or around a team, then the route is over.
“The Cheetahs and Brumbies both tried that against us and it’s something we are aware of. Fortunately we have an experienced wing in Bryan Habana who can read those situations very well. Gio, who is on the other wing, has experience of playing fullback and then there is also Joe Pietersen.
“All three of them have the pace to be able to turn around and are also good with scrambling defence.”
The Waratahs are a physical side, but the Stormers are relishing that aspect of the battle.
“Fortunately it’s the aspect of the game the players enjoy the most due to our record on defence,” said Coetzee.
With a lot of tactical kicks expected, it’s unlikely that the Stormers will pick Fijian wing Sireli Naqelevuki this week. Coetzee said that he would like to keep his team unchanged as far as possible.
Total tactical kicks (average per game in parentheses):
Bulls 373 (29)
Sharks 371 (29)
Stormers 366 (28)
Highlanders 352 (27)
Waratahs 347 (27)
Cheetahs 345 (27)
Brumbies 342 (26)
Western Force 314 (24)
Chiefs 307 (24)
Reds 303 (23)
Hurricanes 287 (22)
Crusaders 281 (22)
Blues 278 (21)
Lions 237 (18)
Goalkicking success ratios:
Sharks 80%
Stormers 78%
Brumbies 78%
Waratahs 78%
Bulls 76%
Cheetahs 72%
Crusaders 71%
Reds 70%
Hurricanes 69%
Western Force 69%
Chiefs 68%
Lions 68%
Blues 67%
Highlanders 67%
Statistics: Verusco
Oohh my gosh Super !
Am I the only one who saw the double entendre in your headline ?:shock: 😆
Gelukkig is Bakkies se kop nie so hard nie, anders kon iemand seergekry het…
Well done Sharks on your 80% goal kicking average. Pienaar, Kockett and Goode kick well this year.
Saint – Hoekom is jy nog nie by die “Bloggers Photos” nie?
@ 1 – RP 😆
@ 1 – RP
Is that why you were the first one to read and post ? 😆
Size always counts. That’s why we dont have bricks for cellphones anymore. There’s a place for big and small on the field. You need big guys to clean out and a small guys to run around with the ball cause they’re so much more difficult to catch – there’s just less of ’em to grab hold of! And if you’re wondering I thought this all up by myself’ but its really no big deal! 😉
Well Sharks win something 😀 Best Goal Kicking heeeeeeeehaaaaa… 😀 Well done my Sharkies. Ruan did step up this season, we also had Kockott and Goode. All good at kicking at posts.
7 – Fender, Agree with Aplon, his size makes it a bit difficult for some teams to tackle him. He is also very fast and slips through many tackles. Used to love to watch him in the 7’s. Pleased he is fine after Saturday. Big heart for sure. One of my favourite Stormer players. With Bekker, Burger and Habs.
Lambie’s size don’t matter either at FB. Though think he was a lot more than Aplon.
10 – was – weighs.
Puma, I was watching Lambie again and he reminds me a lot of a young Hugh Reece-Ed….
12 – Fender, Maybe. I think this is a huge talent we have discovered this S14. Saying discovered, we all knew he was good, but only cause of injury he got a chance. Now no going back he has that position for himself, unless he gets messed about at the Sharks. Heard Plum might try him out at FH in the CC. I say just leave him at FB. Best player under the high ball we have ever had since A. Joubert. Lambie is class. Mvovo is class too and should have started from the Chiefs game.
Pleased about Lambie going to the u20’s world cup. Would like us to cap him proper though. In that nothing Wales game. His father was born in Scotland. We don’t select him think their are plenty scouts that have seen him now. We need to keep our talent right here in SA.
Puma, let’s for argument sake say Piet Snor selects Lambie for the Wales game merely to tie him down for possible future Bok use. However, Snor only views him as a possible back-up to let’s say, F Steyn and as a consequece he only has a real chance at a Bok career in his late twenties. Will that be fair on him and won’t frustration see him leave these shores anyway?
Blouste @ 6
Or maybe being 6 hours (& light years) ahead I was up earlier & read it first ? 😉
Fender
Yes size always counts. Some things are better small (time between vacations) & other things are not better being too small (Bonus cheques & Front Rowers) 😀
@ 15
If you say so… 😀
Blouste 16
Yep, I say so 😀
RP Amen, my Kiwi sister!
Bakkies, 4 weke uit (die man kry darem baie verlof!)
Goeie nuus is dat Mametsa wel beskikbaar is.
Dink die Bulle gaan Shadow meer mis as vir Bakkies.
bdb, 4 weke vi Bakkies! Nee, dis damme bietjie dik virre delwer. Hoeko so baie?
21: fender, weet nie, ek lees daar op bulle blog, maar weet nie wat al die redes is nie. Seker maar kinnermishandeling, aangesien ou aplon (baie goeie speler in my oge) so klein is ! 😉
Gelukkig is die Bulle nou al gewoond om met minstens een speler minder, gewoonlik geskors die semis aan te pak…
Same old, same old…
22: nog ‘n sameswering daar uit die kaap, die klomp ballerinas wil mos van rugby ‘n balletopvoering maak … 😉
bdb, miskien is hy nes ek ‘n repeat-ou-fender, ou-fender, ou-fender…..
bdb @ 21, 23
lol
fender @ 24
lmao
good one!!
fender @ 20
my eerste impression was 2 weke
maar soos jyself gesê het @ 24, hy’s ñ repeat-ou-fender. miskien hoekom dit hierdie keer bietjie langer is (alhoewel die 1ste offence sommer ñ k*k storie was)
24: LOL ! nou lekker gelag. Dink Bakkies moet nou gaan naam maak in boks, ons kort ‘n ‘heavy weight’ wat al naam gemaak het !
Laasjaar was ons handicap 1 toe wen ons 61-17
die jaar is ons handicap 2 wat nou?
Fender
I know I dont need to ask my boys to put everything on the line – that is a given. All I need now is for the Gods to smile upon them as well. I would go looking for a virgin to sacrifice on the altar of rugby to make the Gods happy but I live in a den of iniquity & my search is unlikely to suceed 😥
RP, your team will be just fine. I’m worried about the Bulls playing a home game away from home. Its gonna be a close run thang…particularly on a small field and with Carter firing.
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