Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown was positive about his side's performance in its opening Super 15 pre-season match, a scrappy 15-11 win over the Brumbies in Queenstown last night.
''It's always good to win a game of rugby and it was a good hit-out for the boys so, yeah, ideal preparation,'' Brown said of the game.
''It was a bit messy at times but the boys' defence was outstanding and we got some good things going on attack but, you know, our defence was really solid and we turned over the ball a lot.
''The Brumbies controlled a bit of field position but the boys defended well and, you know, we were unlucky not to go into halftime with a lead.''
The home side was starved of the ball for the majority of the first half but showed solid defence to go into the halftime break trailing 11-9. First five-eighth Hayden Parker had the Highlanders on the board early with a penalty before Brumbies opposite Lionel Cronje levelled the scores with a penalty of his own. The Highlanders defence was finally breached when lock Sam Carter emerged from beneath a pile of bodies for the only try of the game.
Parker put the Highlanders ahead shortly before the break with his third penalty. Cronje then added his second penalty, to give the Brumbies the edge at the break.
Both sides rang the changes at halftime and this seemed to spark the Highlanders into action. It was then the turn of the home side to control possession. Perhaps the Highlanders' best chance to score came when vice-captain Shaun Treeby made a break in midfield which had the Brumbies scrambling, only for the ball to be knocked on out wide.
However, the visiting side had infringed and replacement pivot Lima Sopoaga banged home a simple penalty for a 12-11 lead. Sopoaga added another late in the match to ensure the four-point victory.
Asked about what his team needed to improve on before the opening match of the season against the Blues, Brown was upbeat.
''We've got a lot to improve on but that's the exciting bit about this side. We've got a lot to do and a lot of things we can get better at.
''Everyone gave a pretty good effort and, you know, everyone can be pretty proud of the first game of the year.''
Captain Liam Coltman echoed Brown's words.
''I'm very proud of the boys and what they did today. That scramble `D' in that first half and even in the second half, right to the last minute was great,'' he said.
''It's always a tester, that first game up. The lungs are hissing, it's tough work, especially with the heat today. But we strung a few phases together and worked for each other and that's what we needed to do to put points on the board.''
The Highlanders take on the Crusaders in their second pre-season match next weekend, in Motueka. Their first game of the Super 15 season is against the Blues, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on February 22.
Super 15 pre-season: The scores
Highlanders ... 15
Hayden Parker 3 pen, Lima Sopoaga 2 pen
Brumbies ... 11
Sam Carter try; Lionel Cronje 2 pen).
Halftime: 9-11.
Three to impress for Highlanders
Liam Coltman
Was in his typical, robust scavenger mood all game. Got though 80 minutes and was big on defence. Was a handful for the opposition at the breakdown.
Brad Thorn
The 38-year-old ground it out for the full 80 minutes and provided a headache for defenders with the ball in hand. He was another to impress on defence especially around the fringes.
Kurt Baker
Came on as a replacement for Trent Renata at fullback and made a couple of telling breaks on the counter-attack. Was a constant threat when the ball was kicked.