Are the Highlanders 2014 Super Rugby Finalists?

It wasn't a classic and it certainly won't win many beauty points but a win is a win especially at this stage of the season.

Thus, the Highlanders will be very chuffed with their 18-16 win over fellow Kiwi side, the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday that lifts them up to 4th with 5 games left to go in the season. It won't matter one iota that it was achieved by a style of rugby the English would be familiar with - lot of ball kicked away and a drop goal from Kurow born Hayden Parker, who played a bit like a Mr Jonny Wilkinson.

The Highlanders still have to play the Crusaders at home and away, the Reds and Waratahs away in Australia and the Chiefs at home, so their place in the playoffs is still far from guaranteed, but considering what happened last season, it is quite pleasant for Highlanders fans to see their side relevant in the month of May.

It will please Highlanders fans even more to see the dogged and determined defence of their side snuff out a talented yet out-of-sorts Hurricanes side on Friday - the Canes relied on from mistakes at set-piece and a shepherd which I think was rightly called given that Aaron Smith was clearly impeded by Ash Dixon allowing TJ Perenara to dot down for a disallowed try.

Malakai Fekitoa right now looks like a future All Black - and not just a one-cap wonder. He ran his heart out as usual but showed the defensive side of his game few had talked about, including managing to haul in a runaway Julian Savea and preventing a try to the Hurricanes.

The Highlanders on the back of Fekitoa, Smith, a returning Sopoaga and a determined forward pack could be surprise contenders if they can get the results and right now confidence will be high for a team that has been underdogs for much of the season. The only trouble is that now they're winning, more people will put the favourites tag on them which is something the Highlanders have never dealt with well in the past.

So for now, best to enjoy this golden run and if it turns into playoff football, then great. At least, it's been nice to see the Highlanders as contenders rather than at the bottom of the table and talking about next season.