26 Apr 2014

Joseph hails resilient Highlanders

11:45 am on 26 April 2014

The local Super Rugby conference has been blown wide open after the Chiefs lost at the ACT Brumbies on Friday night, then the Highlanders upset the ladder-leading Sharks overnight at Durban.

The Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph couldn't have asked for a better start to his side's road trip to South Africa.

The visitors scored four unanswered tries to deservedly beat the Sharks 34-18 and grab an away bonus point, to move firmly into contention for an end of season playoff place.

Joseph was delighted with the performance and pleased with how the team handled the sin-binning of Joe Wheeler in the 51st minute.

Joseph says it's a reflecton of the belief in the group that they came through that, and for that reason alone, he's really proud of them.

The Highlanders are fifth, just a point off the Chiefs in the local conference after the champions lost to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

The Highlanders meet the Stormers in Cape Town next weekend.