Province look to return to winning ways
WHILE there have only been two rounds of Currie Cup action, the run to the play-offs intensifies this week as the competition approaches the halfway mark.
With only six games on the regular season schedule, each team hoping to lock down down a semifinal spot will have to make sure that they stay clear of any unflattering results from this weekend onwards.
While Western Province started off well with a win over the Blue Bulls, they’ll also be looking to remain on the straight and narrow where results are concerned, after suffering a 32-27 defeat to the Sharks last weekend.
Centre Dan Kriel, though he admitted that they were their own worst enemy at times at Kings Park, said one positive is that they know what to fix, while he also praised the attitude in the camp.
“We had a strict hand that we should have stuck by and unfortunately we didn’t, which showed in the result,” he said.
“We had a specific kicking game with which we really wanted to put them under the pump, and just silly mistakes. They scored three tries off our mistakes, one intercept and there was one or two exit kicks we didn’t kick out. So it’s back to the drawing board, there are small things we need to fix.
“I think we were quick on defence, I just think certain areas were more individual errors and not collective linespeed. There’s still opportunities there, there are things to fix. There’s no lack of effort from the boys, so that’s great.”
With Springbok centre Damian de Allende heading abroad ahead of next season, Kriel acknowledged that he’d be competing for a run-on jersey, but added that his focus at the moment is on the task at hand – winning the Currie Cup.
“I’m just grateful to be getting another opportunity. I’m not very happy about the result on the weekend, but I’m really excited to be back at Newlands this weekend and getting back to winning ways.
“Obviously it’s a long-term goal, but at the moment I’m just focusing on winning the Currie Cup. It’s a short campaign, so we’re all buying in. It’s always special playing at home. We’re looking forward to getting the home crowd out and getting back to winning ways.”