Southland 14
Wellington 27
Mayor Tim wouldn't have predicted this.
Southland exhibited all of their famed spirit but were out-muscled and out-tackled by a Wellington side that moved into the top four with a crucial 27-14 victory in Invercargill.
The Lions scored three tries to two and were good value for the win as they endured long spells without possession.
Wellington were missing their four All Blacks but their young replacements stepped up ably.
Southland never stopped trying but were often stretched by the pace of the men from the capital and suffered just their second home loss of the season.
Wellington can look forward to a semifinal next week while Taranaki will sweat on the outcome of the Auckland-Tasman clash today.
With their top-four hopes gone, Southland gave an early indication of their intentions by turning down a kickable penalty in just the second minute.
Their instinct was rewarded when fullback Glen Horton dived over after a sharp passing move on the advantage line.
Southland have played to their strengths in a memorable season - a forward-oriented power game combined with unrelenting defence - but the conservative approach has proved their eventual undoing.
The Stags have only earned two bonus points in 13 matches; their opponents had chalked up 10 bonus points.
Wellington's reply came through centre Tajhon Mailata, who turned the defence inside out after being put in a hole by Charlie Ngatai.
People's champion Jason Rutledge then forced his way across the line; in real time it looked like a try but after checking replays for over five minutes it was ruled inconclusive as the cameraman had been too slow to capture the action.
Southland bounced back soon after to score one of their tries of the season as they broke from their own 22. James Wilson regathered a pinpoint chip from centre Matt Saunders.
The home side were good value for their halftime lead having enjoying 62 per cent of possession and 58 per cent of territory in the first stanza.
Their advantage lasted but a few minutes as Wellington speedster Alapati Leiua snaffled an intercept and sprinted away.
The rest of the second spell was a tense struggle. After a series of drives Wellington replacement Ged Robinson forced the ball against the posts for a try in the 68th minute. Southland were never going to overhaul the 13-point advantage as Wellington hung on.
Southland 14 (G Horton, J Wilson try; R Robinson 2 cons) Wellington 27 (T Mailata, A Leiua, G Robinson tries; L Sopoaga 3 cons, 2 pens) Halftime: 14-10.
