The Highlanders aren't taking any risks when it comes to yellow cards ahead of this weekend's Super Rugby clash with the Stormers.
Already 18 players across all franchises have spent ten minutes in the bin season, leaving Highlanders defence coach Glenn Delaney to take matters into his own hands by unleashing some cards in a stand-in referee role at training this week.
"We had a couple of yellow cards, guys out today. So you train for the situations, you try and put them in position where they understand the consequences," Delaney said.
"You can put them down to fourteen, bit of physical work; make them remind themselves good technique means no punishment."
After a bye last week, the Southern men tackle the tourists this Friday night in Dunedin where they'll be hoping to remain one of the only four teams yet to see yellow.
"If you look at a consequence potentially against someone like the Stormers, if you give a yellow card up, that’s going to be big meters and you’re on the end of a drive. So being disciplined and detailed is pretty critical.
"We're creating a safe environment to get things right, because I’d much rather pay a consequence in a training run than in the stadium on a Friday night."
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