Inspiring Highlanders mix dazzle with diligence to crush Cheetahs

Aaron Smith of the Highlanders during the Super Rugby match against the Toyota Cheetahs. Photo / Getty Images

What about them Highlanders, eh?

They danced out to a handy halftime lead and unlike the previous week did not surrender that advantage against the Cheetahs.

There was a lull when the coaches emptied the bench in recognition of those who'd done the graft and others who'd muscled up as training fodder, before the Highlanders iced their 45-24 victory.

An opening onslaught was outstanding and fixed their muscular rivals and fans into a bleary gaze in Bloemfontein.

It was an outstanding advertisement for the coaching direction from Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown and Scott McLeod and the players' response guided by Ben Smith and Nasi Manu.

Dazzle was mixed with diligence as the Highlanders toyed with their stunned foes while coach Naka Drotske pounded the table in frustration. The pack amped up their energy and attacking possession flowed through the hands of Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoga.

They ran, they kicked, they varied their play, turned ball over and upset the Cheetahs' lineout. They found space with great passes or several grubber kick specials from Smith.

They attacked the game. They were not going to try any rope-a-dope tactics to tire out the Cheetahs or use a territory-based game, they brought accurate energy to the Free State Stadium.

The Highlanders' pursuit of the playoffs remains strong. They have nudged up alongside the Chiefs on the points table with matches to come against the Force (in Perth) then the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Blues.

Put aside the festering coaching canker at the Blues and the lusty duel at the Cake Tin, the top-grade production from the Highlanders was just as gripping.

Whatever the squad have bought into they have subscribed in dollops. Passion oozes through their work and it is not the rip, shit and bust type of yesteryear, it is stitched through their style. Cast-offs have joined those from the region and bolted their devotion to fitness, skills and the cause.

We know about the nail-guns in the backs but those forwards who started in Bloemfontein - Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Mark Reddish, Alex Ainley, Gareth Evans, John Hardie and Manu - were the bedrock champions.

Joseph, after an over-zealous glitch a few seasons back, has tempered his touch but not his demands and Brown has smoothed the layers between backline panache and direction. You can see the confidence bursting through their play in the lines of attack, the passing and the expression.

Bumps and setbacks will hit the Highlanders in the run home and they may need points at Eden Park against the Blues in the final round to qualify for the playoffs. Still, eight wins from 12 matches is something the Blues can only dream about.