We are a happy bunch says Umaga

He's the face of the Hurricanes. He's got the dreads, he's the form midfielder in Super 12 rugby and he's captain of the high-flying Hurricanes.

Tana Umaga and the Hurricanes are on track for the Super 12 semifinals for only the second time - the first was in 1997 when the side finished third.

And a win against the Highlanders in New Plymouth on Saturday night would virtually cement a playoff place for the side who endured a horror start with losses to the Crusaders and the Bulls.

Since then, the Hurricanes have strung together six successive wins, a record for the franchise.

Umaga is one of two "originals" who started with the Hurricanes in 1996, the other being fullback Christian Cullen.

Umaga has formed a lethal midfield combination this season with fellow midfield back Ma'a Nonu, and some are even tipping him as a future All Blacks captain.

So what's the difference this season?

"Winning brings confidence, but we're not over-confident," Umaga said yesterday.

"We're confident in our own ability."

New coach Colin Cooper, in his first term with the team, had made a favourable impression also.

"Coops, he's straight up. He's an honest man, very refreshing and he's instilled pride in the jersey," Umaga said.

"But it's not solely him. The enthusiasm from the youth in the side keeps us older ones on our toes.

"There's so many young ones and they've been pushing hard. You know there's someone ready to step in. Everyone gets on well ... we're a happy bunch."

Umaga said the Hurricanes had shed the tag of inconsistency that had dogged them in previous years.

"Coops has been the driving force. The senior players have reacted well to him. He's asked a lot and they've responded."

Umaga said the criticism the tight five forwards received before the competition, and again after the losses to the Crusaders and the Bulls, was unfair.

"The negatives all started before we had played a game, and the tight five copped it. It was unjustified, they hadn't played a game," he said.

"I'm picking a few people will be eating their words now."

The early losses did not help the players' confidence.

"But they've turned it around now. They had total support from the coaches and they've repaid that. You can't ask for more, they've given everything. It all starts up front, we're a tight eight, not a tight five."

On a personal note, Umaga said he was enjoying his rugby.

"The coaches have been great and they've given me responsibility. They respect my thoughts and are willing to listen."

Umaga knows the Highlanders will be a formidable challenge.

"They will be tough. They're coming back off the bye, and the week off would have helped with injuries. I'm expecting a tough time, that's why we came up early [from Wellington to New Plymouth] to dig in."

- NZPA