Highlanders coach Tony Brown said he could not think of a better performance from a team he has coached than the one the Highlanders put on in Christchurch last night.
The side had a forgettable week but it all came good as it walked all over the four-time defending champion Crusaders with a 33-12 win.
Brown said the side performed so well and was accurate in everything it did.
"I think if we can execute and believe in ourselves than we can get results. I have been banging on about it all year but no-one was listening to me," he said.
"But the leaders of this team have been doing a great job, and did a great job this week and the young boys played their game then we could beat anyone.
"You look at someone like Bryn Evans. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He is running down backs, hitting rucks. Josh Hohneck was the same.
"Just the energy and the enthusiasm and then we played with belief."
The accuracy from the Highlanders was too good for the Crusaders, which looked a shadow of previous weeks.
"I think we had 17 turnovers and 60% of the ball — we dominated a rugby team, the best rugby team in the world."
It had been a tough week for the side after six players were stood down after dropping below expected team standards.
But Brown said the side had addressed the issue on Sunday, which he admitted was a tough day, and had just got on with preparation. The issue had played out on the media later in the week but by then the side was just focused on the game.
He praised winger Scott Gregory’s effort.
"Scott has not had a great introduction to Super Rugby but I thought he was great tonight. Just the way he stood up and was physical in all he did. He had a one-on-one tackle there with Ethan Blackadder and didn’t back down. Those sort of things are what make a difference."
He also said first five-eighth Mitch Hunt led the side so well, putting the side in the right direction.
The only blight was an injury to second five-eighth Thomas Umaga-Jensen, who may have broken his wrist. He played well in the hour he was on the paddock.
