WP looking for next gear
Western Province fullback Gio Aplon says that although his team is unbeaten this season, they feel that they are yet to play to their potential.
The Cape side host the Golden Lions at Newlands on Saturday as they look to secure a home semifinal, and Aplon said that the message this week has been to put together an 80-minute performance in order to build momentum ahead of the play-offs.
Although they have been dominant at times, Province are yet to put together an emphatic performance, so they are focused on being as consistent as possible against a dangerous Lions side.
"I don't think we are on top of our game. In Super Rugby we lost the close games and now we are pulling them through but it doesn't feel like we are playing complete rugby.
"We are really striving to play complete rugby and putting teams to bed when we have that opportunity, we are not there yet we are scraping some games through and we are unbeaten at the moment but we have drawn two games, one here at Newlands which is disappointing for us," he said.
Aplon has enjoyed the opportunity to get an extended run in his favoured position of fullback this season and has formed an exciting partnership with Junior Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe.
"I think it is going well there at the moment, I think I have enjoyed it. I have been waiting a long time to play fullback on a regular basis, I really enjoy playing there.
"It doesn't matter where the team needs me I am also comfortable on the wing but I am really enjoying my time at fullback and it really helps if you have got a Cheslin Kolbe next to you who you can just give the ball to and say 'run a bit'," he said.
Aplon said that the key with a player like Kolbe is to encourage him to express himself and play his natural game.
"The main thing with Cheslin and the type of game he plays is never to change a lot in the way he is playing, you must just play with the natural ability that you have got.
"I have been helping him with small little details and to improve but not changing his game too much," he said.
The early kick-off at Newlands on Saturday is also something that excites Aplon, who is looking forward to running at the Lions when he gets a chance.
"We have played at Newlands a couple of times and the ball wasn't dry, os I think it will be a nice opportunity for us. It will be the first time we have played a two o'clock game so we will have to get used to the conditions.
"Hopefully the dry weather suits us and we can play a bit more keeping in mind that we are aiming for a home semifinal. But also we don't want to go into our shell and play percentage rugby but also play to our full potential," he said.
However, he knows that the Lions will pose a stern test, and has not forgotten the way that they fought back in the second half at Ellis Park to earn a draw.
"A massive emphasis for us going into this game for us is to improve our defence, I think in Super Rugby and last season we were one of the best defensive sides in the competition but we have to improve, we are leaking tries.
"We conceded four tries against them last time which shows their quality, they were about 23 points down and they came back so that is the massive threat. They are an all-out attacking team so we really have to sharpen up our defence and be well prepared in that respect," he said.
By Michael de Vries
