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Ex-Springbok Gio Aplon follows Jake White home from Japan and signs for the Bulls

13 May 2020

(Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

New Bulls boss Jake White has signed ex-Springbok utility back Gio Aplon from Toyota Verblitz, the club the coach himself left to head home to South Africa. The 37-year-old, who was last capped in 2012, forged his career at the Stormers before heading to French club Grenoble in 2014.

“The Vodacom Bulls have always been a formidable force in the rugby world,” said Aplon in a tweet on the club’s social media page following his signing.

“I have always had a great deal of respect for the brand and what it has achieved, and I’m truly looking forward to running out at Loftus. Coach Jake has an amazing vision and plan for the team, and I am just honoured that he wants me as part of it. I look forward to making the #BullsFamily proud.”

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Verblitz had been breaking even in the Japan Top League before the season was cancelled in March due to the coronavirus outbreak, White’s side winning three of its six matches. Aplon was only used in one of those games, a February win over Kubota.

While will hope the veteran’s experience will benefit the team and he will also want Aplon assisting the further development of the club’s younger outside backs.

Hot-stepper Aplon joins #BullsFamily.
Read more: https://t.co/nVeNMaX5uE pic.twitter.com/xKUgmCB6Ed
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 13, 2020

Aplon’s signing is further indication of the change ongoing at the Bulls, who recently released coach Pote Human and installed a new CEO, Edgar Rathbone, to succeed Alfons Meyer.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Jfp123 5 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

It will be great if Jalibert improves in defence, but unless and until he improves substantially, I think he should be out of the running for the national team. If you look at the French A side, attack is not usually so much of a problem - they scored 200 points in the last 6 nations without MJ on the pitch. Defence however can be an issue, Penaud isn’t the greatest in that area for a start. So a 10 who is solid in defence is badly needed. And given his poor defence record, MJ would be bound to be targeted by shrewd coaches like Rassi and Razor, so he needs to be able to withstand that.

Also, given sufficient improvement in defence, there are still factors which tell against MJ. I think the 7/1 bench has been a very successful experiment, and for that you need flexible backs who can play in more than one position in case of injury. Then there’s how well the 10 plays with France’s best 9, Dupont. And even if you think MJ is better when there’s no Dupont or 7/1 split, stability in a test team is important, so it’s better not to go chopping and changing the 10 needlessly. There’s also the question of temperament - MJ doesn’t shine at his brightest when it really matters, eg WC quarters and Top14 finals, and look at his test record over the past 2 years.

I see Ntamack as by far the best option at 10. Rugby is a team game, and apart from his excellent defence, there’s his partnership with Dupont, his versatility, and all the other skills that go to making a great team player and a great 10. He’s excellent under the high ball, an area where France tend to have a weakness, and has fine strategic and team management skills, great handling skills and so on.

While having star quality is important, it’s not the be all and end all, as illustrated by UBB this season. Imo, though undoubtedly very good, they underperformed. With best wings, best 9, as Dupont barely played in the Top14, with Jalibert and leading centres and 15, plus a strengthened forward pack, they couldn’t match ST in points scored, despite the latter’s huge injury list which left some positions seriously weakened, at least on paper.

For next season, I hope ST are back to their scintillating best with injuries healed, that LBB is back to rude health for UBB, that the exciting promise of La Rochelle’s and Toulon’s new recruits bears fruit, Bayonne continue to defy their budget and we have a cracking, highly competitive Top14 and Les Bleus triumphant in the autumn internationals and six nations!

258 Go to comments

JW 9 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

As pointed out by Nick and the French posters their players can’t cope with both (even sharing the July window like they have been), players are still too exhausted even through the season. And if the french government is going to crackdown even further on them they’re simply going to have/want to change for their own good.

WR just has to get involved to ensure that’s it’s enough to also not weaken the int game (France excluding their best).

258 Go to comments

JW 15 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Dmac passing to space wide, width, and the Barretts passing to space behind, depth (to hide where they go but of course they always go wide, very deceptively lol not).

258 Go to comments

Brett McKay 26 minutes ago

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

nice comment SK, thanks for taking the time..

8 Go to comments

HS 38 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

A long read of dmac hate and bb who is just so great… And I just don’t get it, bb made so many mistakes… Couldn’t even find touch with some of his penalties… Hardly ever distributed the ball down the backline and kicked the ball straight into opposition hands for most of the series… I don’t think dmac had the best game ever on Saturday but this is ridiculous, his kicking was actually more accurate and tactical… The problem we had on Saturday was that we kept trying to run through the forwards at the line rather than spread the ball into space when it mattered… I personally think dmac last week was better than bb the week before… The hate this guy gets over and over is just ridiculous…

43 Go to comments

RC 44 minutes ago

Test hooker identifies 'almost that All Blacks aura of old' in French sweep

ABs gonna bring the boks back down to earth I'm sorry

Slaughter at the garden and then pile on the misery in Wellington!!!

4 Go to comments

SK 51 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Beauden Barrett is an exceptional player but Richie Mo’unga will be back in 2026 and will be a major force come 2027. Razor cannot resist Richie Mo’unga who was a big part of the Crusaders success in Super Rugby. Barrett can add value in the squad with his experience and quality but age will take its toll on a player whose X-Factor will only diminish. Yes he may have the vision to unlock space with his kicks, he may retain his killer pass but his pace and physicality will wane and he may make a line break but also may not be able to capitalise on it because he lacks the physical attributes. Come 2027 I think he will be one or 2 years too old. If anything the All Blacks may be better off giving more opportunities to their alternatives in the near future like D-Mac or Love. Right now he starts the match against the Boks at Eden Park and in the Rugby Championship he will be valuable but the All Blacks must look beyond him come the Grand Slam tour.

43 Go to comments

Jacque 54 minutes ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Talking about commentators?what?

38 Go to comments

JP 59 minutes ago

Mick Cleary: 'The soul was not lit up by underwhelming Lions first Test'

Totally agree with the comment below about the MCG being a very poor place to watch rugby. Don’t expect many local (ex-)rugby fans to attend. As a foundation member of the Melbourne Rebels I will be boycotting everything Rugby Australia touches. If you don’t understand this attitude, I suggest you read: “A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels“ by Geoff Parkes.

7 Go to comments

ck 1 hour ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Your wrong, 2 Sheehan 9 du pont 12 de Allende

38 Go to comments

SK 1 hour ago

The stat in which the Springboks outperformed everyone fivefold in July

The Boks up the ante physically compared to almost any other team in World Rugby but I agree that the excitement should be tempered. They played against some lower opponents and never really got into top gear. They put them all away though but the Wallabies and All Blacks will provide stern tests

1 Go to comments

d 1 hour ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

agree, and you’d have to reject RM for the same reason; I think Love will prove to be the 10 we have been looking for.

43 Go to comments

SK 1 hour ago

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

Great article Brett that sums up everything so well. The Wallabies were undercooked coming into this match. They have had such a low key build up and really needed at least one test more. It showed when they were unable to take their chances and conceded several easy chances to the Lions which saw the Lions sprint into a 19 point lead. This game was unexpected. The Wallabies had the better of the stats and nobody thought that would be the case. It was way tighter than the score suggests and I dont believe the Lions took their foot off the pedal. They just lost all fluency, made too many mistakes and the Wallabies found some cohesion and momentum. Both the Lions and Australia must improve. One feels with their pedigree and quality experienced stars the Lions will be more likely to make that improvement. The back 3 of Louw, Keenan and Freeman need to be better and their bench need to stand up. The Wallabies need a fast start. If they get it they can put the pressure on this Lions side which seems to struggle to wrest momentum back when it turns. Keen to see how the second test unfolds.

8 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

I don’t think my comments about New Zealand are unfair.

Just inaccurate?

258 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

He’s playing the long game.

258 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Yes I’ve often though 7s was a dull variant of the game by comparison.

I didn’t think Forests ideas where much chop but was really looking for their evolution as I think even the 15 man game could be a lot more fun. He probably paved the way for R365.

258 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Would have thought it would help international rugby. What makes you think it won’t work?

I’ve always thought 7s was just a way WR got developing nations into the game. I stopped watching it when it went independent from 15s (no longer had the best players) but thought it was doing a good job for those who don’t follow 15s?

It’s just a money dump, a way to raise the profile and get more numbers, if you think its toning back now (I actually really like the format changes and think it will enhance the whole scene) it’s probably because they think its done its job.

258 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Haha this is where we differ. I’m happy with our 10, happy fir WJ and Reiko as wingers with love at 15. Also Happy to see another 10 or 2 come onto the squad tho.

Id like to see more NZ15 games to give guys like Lio-willie some more time at a level above SR. He looks the goods so far tho. Kirifi started looking comfortable in the ABs jersey toward the end of the Hamilton test I felt.

38 Go to comments

johnz 2 hours ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure BB was exempted from that rule himself last time round, because he was off contract in Japan. So if it’s a bendable rule for BB, it should be for others.

43 Go to comments

GP 2 hours ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash