Highlanders 'can go all the way'
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Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is adamant that his team has what it takes to claim their first Super Rugby title this year.
After an emphatic 36-9 victory over the Chiefs on Saturday, the Highlanders' next assignment is against the table-topping Hurricanes, and Joseph made no secret of the fact that they have set their sights on overhauling the pace-setting Wellington outfit and securing a home semifinal.
With 10 wins from their 14 matches thus far, Joseph's team is riding high on confidence, and he was feeling bullish about their title chances after seeing off the two-time champion Chiefs.
"We can go all the way," he told stuff.co.nz. "There is two games to go, but if you look at the competition, this team has beaten all of the teams really."
However, in order to do so Joseph knows that the Highlanders need to play the knock-out stages on home turf at the Forsyth-Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
"We are a business that really has no money, but we have a stadium to die for," he said.
"So if we can get another win it will probably get us there. Otherwise we will probably have to jump on a plane and head back to South Africa."
Although they face the first-placed Hurricanes next week, Joseph confirmed that he will rest All Blacks Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, who will all be back for their final league fixture against the Blues.
"I wouldn't rest them if I didn't have to, I don't want to change the momentum," Joseph said. "But that's something that everyone has brought into and I do understand the reason why.
"I think we will benefit over the long-term. In terms of a quarterfinal having those players have a breather we will only reap the rewards," he added.
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