Bye comes at good time for Highlanders

Coach Greg Cooper says the bye week will be an ideal opportunity for the Highlanders to "mentally refresh" before preparing for a run at the Super 12 rugby semifinals.

Cooper has given his players a practice-free week to recharge after their efforts in winning five consecutive games.

But it is their minds, not their bodies, that he wants rested.

"The guys will still be on individual training programmes because we can't afford them to lose fitness," Cooper said today.

"But they need a mental break. They need to get away from rugby completely and refresh."

Cooper has no concerns the Highlanders, whose next game is against the Hurricanes in Wellington on April 22, will have their momentum halted by the bye.

There has been an even split this season -- four teams have won after having the bye and four have lost.

"I think that people have two theories, and one is obviously that it's good to keep playing when you're on a bit of a roll," Cooper said.

"But I'm more of the opinion that rugby players need balance in their life, and this is one of those times when they need to be someone else for a while.

"We'll switch off for a week and then we'll switch straight back on."

Cooper will not be drawn on how many points he believes the Highlanders will need to qualify for the semifinals for the first time since 2002.

"I really don't know, because it changes year to year.

"All I know is that we've got four opportunities left to win four games, and it's such a tough competition that any team could come through."

Repeating his assertion that he is not surprised the Highlanders have confounded the critics by losing only one out of seven games, Cooper deftly deflected the suggestion he must be feeling jubilant.

"We're very satisfied with where we are at this point but we won't get carried away.

"What I will say I'm delighted about is that the three or four critical changes we made from last season to this season have worked for us.

"We'll do everything we possibly can to go on and win this competition. Then we can start talking about jubilation."

It seems the Highlanders will have a full squad from which to choose in two weeks.

Nick Evans, who took a blow to the hip in the 19-18 win over the Brumbies, is fine, and No 8 Paul Miller will also be available for selection after overcoming a quadricep injury.

Winger Matt Saunders will also be back after being a late scratching from the Brumbies game because of illness.

- NZPA