Rugby: Win over Blues top priority for Highlanders

The Highlanders are not getting ahead of themselves before playing the Blues in Auckland tomorrow night. Photo / Getty Images

Win first, consider permutations later.

The Highlanders are not getting ahead of themselves before playing the Blues in Auckland tomorrow night.

Loose forward Gareth Evans is taking the party line, set by coach Jamie Joseph, that it is about winning first before talking about gaining four tries and boosting hopes of hosting a playoff game.

The Highlanders sit on 48 points, the same amount as the Chiefs, and know if they get five points tomorrow night the pressure will be on the Chiefs to have a better points differential to bag a home playoff.

"We just have to get back to a bit of structure," Evans said. "We need to go up there and not worry about bonus points.

"It's just about going out there and worrying about winning first and then everything else is out of our hands, whether we have a home playoff or we are travelling to Africa.

"Obviously, we would love to have a home playoff and to get the Otago folk in behind us. What happens to the Chiefs and the Hurricanes is out of our hands."

Evans, 23, said the Blues would have plenty of incentive to play well in their final game.

"They have had a pretty rough season. I've got a couple of good friends in that team and they will be coming out to finish the season on a high.

"It is going to be tough. It is not going to be a walk in the park. They'll be out to upset our chances of making the playoffs.

"There is a danger of looking too far ahead. But we are just focusing on this week. Come 10pm on Friday night we can start looking at next week. But we've got to worry about the Blues first and foremost."

Evans, who picked up a head knock in last weekend's loss to the Hurricanes and trained only lightly this week, has just signed up for another year with the Highlanders.

He said there was a bit of interest from other sides but he could not see himself going anywhere else. Getting regular playing time was a real boost after a slow start to the season.

Joseph confirmed yesterday that All Black centre Malakai Fekitoa was unlikely to face the Blues.

He said Fekitoa was still troubled by a groin injury but it was hoped he could recover in time for next week.

Alex Ainley was likely to partner Joe Latta in the injury-decimated middle row with Jackson Hemopo coming off the bench.

Joseph said the Blues were difficult to beat at home and would be motivated to put in a good appearance for captain Keven Mealamu's final appearance for the franchise.