Highlanders' win keeps hounds from the door

Highlanders 28 Brumbies 26

Greg Cooper feels no need to thumb his nose at the critics but is prepared to claim the Highlanders are on the up after their epic win against the Brumbies.

Saturday night's nail-biter completed a useful hat-trick of wins for Cooper, under whom the Highlanders have beaten the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies - in Australia, no less - in successive seasons.

It also gave the Highlanders a record of six wins and six losses, confirming their status as an average but not terribly awful team.

They have copped plenty of criticism in recent weeks but such a win will keep the hounds from the door and give them some heart when reflecting on the season.

"I haven't taken too much notice of it," Cooper said of the outside pressures on his side and criticism of his players and himself.

"It's pretty obvious we've had some difficulties this year. We've had injuries to key players and we faced a very tough draw in a tough competition

"Last year, we lost three games at the end of the season where we weren't in it. Every game this year, we've been in with a chance of winning, and as a coach I'm confident we're heading in the right direction."

Cooper agreed a season-ending win against the Reds on Friday night would provide some satisfaction.

"We entered the Super 14 to win it and that hasn't happened, partly because we've had factors that have caused us to lose rhythm.

"If we can build on this win and beat the Reds, we will show that Highlanders rugby is at least on the right track."

Before the Brumbies game, Cooper mentioned how impressed he was at his side's away record and unity on the road.

Their effort against the Brumbies consisted of equal parts commitment and execution, Cooper said.

"We couldn't play a flamboyant game because it wouldn't have worked, but we showed real composure. The Brumbies normally close those games out, but we saw a number of our players taking control.

"Our guys haven't lacked commitment, but we were also accurate in this game, and we beat a quality side that has the best home record in the history of the competition."

It was the fourth time the Highlanders had won in the last five meetings of the sides.

Cooper highlighted the efforts of Ben Blair, who kicked the late penalty that clinched the game, and try-scoring prop Carl Hayman.

There was satisfaction, too, in the performance of halfback Jimmy Cowan, whose efforts have lifted considerably in recent weeks.

"Jimmy took a lot of the heat off Brucey [Callum Bruce], he defended well and he was very composed to the end."

Key forwards Craig Newby and Tom Donnelly are doubtful starters for the Reds game.

Donnelly was a late scratching against the Brumbies when he rolled an ankle on Friday. Newby left the game with half an hour to go after taking a knock to the arm.

- Otago Daily Times