Highlanders assistant coach Peter Russell has given his backline a pass mark but says there is always room for improvement.
Southern rugby has always been known for tough tight forwards and quick loosies but the backs have sometimes come under some criticism.
But this year the backs have been working on their game and making the most of the hard-won ball from the front eight.
Russell, who looks after the backs and is in his first year with the Highlanders, said he would give his backs 6-7 out of 10 for their performance so far.
"But there is always room for improvement. Reading the options right is what we are after," Russell said.
"To me, taking the ball to the line we need options both inside and outside."
Russell said running an efficient and enterprising backline was all about giving players the vision to see opportunities to attack and find space.
"But that comes down to good communication and that is not just from the insides. We need to have good communication from the guys on the outside, where the space is, and when they want the ball.
"We can't leave it all up to Jimmy [halfback and captain Jimmy Cowan] and those in the insides."
Russell said it was important to use pace on to the ball. Though he was not involved last year, he felt the backs had made progress through the season.
The basics of running hard and straight could not be overlooked, said Russell, who coaches Hawkes Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup.
The backs have scored 13 out of 19 tries for the Highlanders, and bagged all five tries in the convincing victory over the Bulls.
The side has developed through the season, and the backs have matched if not outplayed most of their opponents.
They kept a Chiefs backline, which subsequently ran all over the Blues and Reds, quiet for 80 minutes, and the defence has conceded just five tries in the past four games.
Russell said most sides had very good defences and the backline had to work hard to get past them.
"Defences are very well organised but they can change from week to week in the style of defence they play. In three weeks, you might face three different types of defences. So you have to look at them and manipulate them around to create space."
With smaller wingers than most, the Highlanders had to use skill and mismatches to create the chances.
But players with good skill sets would always succeed, he said.
The Highlanders' backs worked well against the Bulls in running good angles and getting in behind the defence.
Russell said passing was another core skill which had to be worked on and not ignored.
He was trying to get players using appropriate passes rather then spiral-passing everything.
Under the experimental law variations, kicking and receiving kicks were becoming very important, he said.
"The game is now very aerial and you have to know your option-taking from there. With receiving kicks we want to try and get our players in the air and take the space away from the opposition.
"But we are a young backline, working hard."
Russell said the bye last week had come at a good time for the side, with players resting minor injuries.
The team was now excited to be back in camp and ready to continue that momentum.
He did not return home to Hawkes Bay during the bye week as his children were still at school and the work continued for the coaches.
"We did quite a lot of analysis during the week on both the Reds and us. It just never stops," he said.
