Auckland's deserved loss was a tonic for storm-hit Southland.
Aucklanders did not have to look far for solace when their provincial rugby team's challenge for the Ranfurly Shield petered out in a freezing Invercargill on Thursday night. If ever a region needed a fillip, it was Southland.
The worst spring storm for decades has delivered day after day of icy rain, chilling winds and snow so thick it caused the Southland Stadium to collapse.
Far worse, hundreds of thousands of lambs have been killed, leading the Government to declare a medium-level adverse event, and to start providing relief, welfare support and farm management advice.
The best tonic for many Southlanders, however, was undoubtedly the way their footballers delivered the province's first home victory over Auckland since 1971. This was a triumph of doggedness and durability. It was also a sign that Auckland rugby has quite some way to go before it reclaims its traditional status in New Zealand rugby.
Auckland could, and should, have won, after matching Southland in the first half, despite playing into the wind. Yet victory may well have served to paper over many of the cracks that have plagued Auckland and the Blues, and resulted in the province having a slender representation in the All Blacks. Now, the rebuilding can proceed without the Ranfurly Shield being offered as evidence that all is suddenly well.
The cheers for Southland from around the country on Thursday night would have been especially loud. Even Auckland supporters could be excused for sharing in the province's moment of joy.
