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- Bulls veteran Gio Aplon has downplayed the need to question the integrity of Super Rugby Unlocked after the Lions-Pumas game was postponed due to Covid-19 protocols.
- The latest development jeopardizes the Bulls’ final game against the Lowvelders as they were gambling on the title next week.
- However, the former Springbok fullback believes that the safety of players and coaches remains the top priority.
While not ideal, injured Bulls veteran Gio Aplon believes there is little use complaining about the integrity of Super Rugby Unlocked and the impending Currie Cup after Covid-19 once again disrupted the former.
SA Rugby announced on Friday that Saturday’s meeting between the Lions and Pumas at Ellis Park would be postponed in accordance with protocols after mandatory and follow-up tests within the Pumas camp returned three positive results.
This weekend’s game wouldn’t have much to do with the final record, but the Bulls will host the Lowvelders at Loftus next week for a meeting that will determine whether or not Jake White’s troops leave with the title unlocked.
SA Rugby said that “plans are already being made to reschedule both games,” although the congested schedule seems to make that unlikely, especially after the Lions and Cheetahs scored two record points after failing to find a suitable date for their derby postponed.
All affected Pumas players – understood as an almost complete herd of forwards –
Two record points from the Pumas game would leave the Bulls, who are currently on top at 19, at 21 and present the Stormers, Sharks and Cheetahs with opportunities to surpass them.
Yet in these strange times, Aplon wonders how much it really matters.
“In the end, the safety of the players remains the top priority, even if questions are asked about the integrity of the tournament itself,” said the former Springbok fullback, who is out of the national program with an injury at the knee said on Friday.
“This is probably easier to say if you are not directly affected, but this is a virus that can really make people sick and even kill. You don’t want to expose the rugby community to that risk just because we are fighting a record point or two. .
“Of course everyone is still playing to win trophies, but it is important to keep perspective during this time. Is it the most important registration points or the health and safety of the players and coaches?”
The 38-year-old evergreen playmaker also noted that rugby is an important component of South Africa’s social fabric and that the very idea of rugby being played is remarkable.
“What about an enrolled kid who drops out of school this year? He hasn’t had a chance to play this entire year and there are a lot of under 18s living for that last season of school play,” Aplon said.
“On a broader level, many people have lost their lives. That puts things in perspective. Rugby is part of South African society. It’s about people enjoying the way we ‘work’ and having the thrill of rejoicing. for our victories or for cursing us. losing. “
The news of the postponement came as the Bulls were engaged in another rigorous training session and Aplon hopes that will be the attitude of the team heading into next week: everything remains the same.
“Worrying about what might happen now is not worth it and actually goes against what we are trying to achieve here at the Bulls.
“It goes against the spirit of the process of getting this team back to the top. We are focused on what we can do better every day. We will see what decisions are made in the next week, but we are still preparing as if we are still playing. next week “.
