Hot Highlanders confound critics

The sweltering climes of Brisbane are hardly the gentlest arms to run into after two weeks in South Africa. The Highlanders, though, will not be daunted by Ballymore's sticky air and are determined to make it three from three when they take on the Reds this Friday.

On current form, it would be a big call to bet against them.

But the Highlanders, as nearly everyone was predicting pre-season, were supposed to be the competition easy beats. They had a useful front row, Josh Blackie, Nick Evans and 23 other players to make up the numbers.

Their latest victim, the Cats, who were dismantled by an heroic defensive effort yesterday, would disagree. As would the Sharks and Bulls who were both hammered in previous weeks.

The Highlanders are a whole lot more and, if they win in Brisbane, they will become genuine playoff contenders.

That thought has left most of New Zealand open-mouthed but Highlanders coach Greg Cooper always believed his side had the ability to compete with the best.

"I'm not surprised we are where we are," said Cooper from Johannesburg where his side were celebrating their 16-12 win against the plucky Cats. "It's early days yet, however. We were really disappointed to lose that opening game to the Blues [14-30] as we wanted to start well and build the confidence. But that is coming now and I thought we showed a huge amount of character in beating the Cats. I think this is only the second time in 10 years we have won both games in South Africa - that says a lot.

"The Cats had to win and they're a better side than people realise. They have a strong forward pack and a lot of pace and ability. This win gives us huge confidence."

But winning alone is not forcing others to take notice. It is the manner in which they are playing.

Against the Sharks the Highlanders played high-tempo football. The win at Ellis Park was built on aggressive tackling, accurate goal-kicking from Ben Blair and a well-worked try from Craig Newby.

These performances have been underpinned by a number of previously unheralded individuals coming of age.

Young lock James Ryan has been sensational in his debut season. Paul Miller is, maybe for the first time in his career, at fighting weight and playing with controlled aggression. Anthony Tuitavake looks a real find at centre and Blair, cast aside by the Crusaders, has given a reminder he is not yet a spent force.

The real star, however, has been Seilala Mapasua at second five-eighths. The 25-year-old Samoan is in the kind of form that will have the All Black selectors cursing his non-eligibility. He's big and strong, both in attack and defence.

"He's playing a really senior role in that back line," said Cooper. "Seilala didn't have the conditioning last year and that was a factor. This year he's worked really hard in pre-season and is enjoying the results. Paul Miller has been great, playing better than I have ever seen him and Anthony Tuitavake is a player we always believed in."

Further good news for the Highlanders came when a clean bill of health was declared following the Cats game and the news that Evans, who pulled a hamstring against the Bulls in week three, may be fit to play against the Reds.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY