Highlanders 2009

The Highlanders started slowly, built up some momentum but then finished weakly in a season which at one stage looked very promising. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back at the side's efforts in 2009. The Highlanders started slowly, built up some momentum but then finished weakly in a season which at one stage looked very promising. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back at the side's efforts in 2009.

The Highlanders can see the space to attack and score but it is getting the ball there that is the issue, captain Jimmy Cowan says.

With dropped ball on average once every two minutes, this match will not find its way to rugby heaven.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore says his side paid dearly for two errors in the narrow loss to the Sharks in Durban.

Those play-off hopes just disappeared into a dark night.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore said the laws intended to clean up the breakdown have, if anything, made it more confusing.

Kees Meeuws is laid up at the moment but he has not thrown the boots away yet.

The Highlanders have four games left in this year's Super 14 and coach Glenn Moore still believes his side can make the semifinals.

Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan has received no further punishment for his contentious tackle, capping a perfect day for New Zealand players in front of the Super 14 rugby judiciary.

Highlanders vice-captain Jason Shoemark says the side knew it did not play well on Saturday night but to come away with a win showed a new maturity in the team.