Highlanders set their bar

 

The last time the Highlanders reached any sort of play-off scenario was in 2002, and after looking back at last year (where they finished 14th) it is unsurprising that the Otago men were not highly rated for this season.

 

However, The Highlanders have surpassed their expectations and Brown now wants them to build on this solid basis going forward.

 

"It's a bit of a line in the sand for us as an organisation, especially the coaching team," Brown told New Zealand'sRadio Sport.

 

"The players I think enjoyed the season and making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, that's got to be pretty pleasing to Highlanders supporters, management and organisation as a whole.

 

"I think it's just the starting point for us and we've got to be able to build on that next year and go further in the competition."

 

The Highlanders, more than most, would have known exactly what it takes to beat the Sharks in Durban, having done so in Round 11.

 

However, knowing what you are against is not useful if you cannot counter it – and the Highlanders failed to counter the Sharks scrum and physically dominant forwards.

 

"We knew it was always going to be tough in the first 20 minutes when their forwards were fresh so they could physically take us on," added Brown.

 

"But we knew if we could not let them get away to too big a lead then we could come back and play some footy and I think we did that.

 

The Highlanders were definitly stunned in the first quarter of the game, but the ensuing wrestle for the lead showed the true heart and skill of the New Zealanders as they came back to take the lead twice in the match.

 

"Our plan was to keep the game fast because we knew we would get opportunities from that and [Kane Hames' try] was probably one of the tries of the season from us."

 

The Highlanders can return to Otago with their heads help high as they look to become a new force in the Super Rugby campaign.