Theo Cabango says Cardiff are determined to give a performance that the fans will be proud of as they host Zebre Parma in the final home match of the 2021/22 season on Friday evening (KO 7.35pm).
The Blue and Blacks look to get back to winning ways and sign off on a high as we approach the final three fixtures of the campaign.
After the Italian outfit’s win over Dragons last week, the wing refuses to take the visitors lightly but says that playing in front of the Arms Park faithful is a huge motivation for the squad.
“A big focus in on giving a good game for the fans. We’ll come out stronger in these games and next season,” said the academy member.
“You can’t write Zebre off. They’re a very passionate team who will come out all guns blazing.
“We’ve seen that in the past few games, especially against the Dragons, you can’t underestimate them.
“They’re full of surprises and are a very good, physical side. We’re preparing mentally and focusing on ourselves.
“If we can do everything that we’re capable of doing then we’ll be able to get a good win and hold them off.
“It would be nice to give the fans a good win and give them something to cheer about. We want to end on a high to be ready before next season.
“It’s always nice to give something back, so it means a lot to have a full crowd here almost every week watching us. It would be nice to give something back to them.
“You can’t have success without failure, and you always try to take something from it. You look at how you can improve and even though the results haven’t been great, we have improved in a lot of aspects.
“As a squad, the bad results hasn’t really put us down that hard as we’re still looking ahead to a big final three games.
“In every game we’re learning and we’re looking forward to these last three games and next season.”
Cabango has enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Blue and Blacks, making his debut against Toulouse in December and going on to score four tries in seven outings.
The wing has enjoyed the opportunity to progress his game in senior rugby but insists he’ll continue to work hard on his game as he looks to compete for a starting jersey at the Arms Park.
“It’s always a bonus, as a wing, to get a few tries and that helps with your confidence,” added the former Glantaf and Plasmawr pupil.
“It’s been nice for me personally and I’m just happy to be on the pitch in the first place. It’s been brilliant.
“Every week the coaches here are really supportive and I’m taking it one game at a time.
“I can really progress here, I’m always learning bits and bobs and they catch me up on stuff and take me back through the footage.
“So it’s been really positive and I’m really enjoying being in the environment. Hopefully I can keep starting for the rest of the season, for the last couple of games and then focus on next season.
“Especially in defence, I learn on how I can improve and I see it paying off a bit during games.
“I’ll always make little mistakes because I am still a young but I’ve got a really supportive team around me.
“The boys are always there to pick me up and it’s been good. My levels have definitely increased.
“We’ve had a couple of hard games with unfortunate results but overall the performances haven’t been too bad.
“There’s been some real positives in there and it’s pretty good.
“Obviously it was unfortunate for the boys who got stuck in South Africa but I had a bit of luck myself. Being here gave me the opportunity to play against Toulouse and Harlequins, and it all changed from there.
“I got into the senior training, started to impress there and I got the chance to show what I’ve done.
“From then I’ve just looked to solidify my position in the squad - if not starting then in the matchday squad.
“I want to carry that out for the rest of the season and look at next season to see if I can earn my starting position.
“I want to kick on, develop my skills and overall as a player as well.”