Southland 9
Canterbury 3
Southland tackled their way into Ranfurly Shield rugby folklore with victory over Canterbury last night which ended half a century of heartbreak.
The result could also have ended Auckland's playoff hopes for 2009.
The Log of Wood will reside in Invercargill over summer, the first time it has been in the Deep South since their one-match reign in 1959.
In a front of a baying group of supporters that made the match feel like a home fixture for Southland, the players lifted in the second half after being forced into defence mode through the first 40 minutes.
Having survived all season on gutsy defence, the Stags did it again, going into halftime at 3-3.
They had the better of the second spell, and would have been unlucky to lose as they repelled a series of late Canterbury raids.
The players leaped in a joyous team hug after first five-eighths Robbie Robinson kicked the ball out to end the game, in the knowledge they had lifted one of New Zealand rugby's most prized possessions.
Southland also guaranteed a place in next weekend's Air NZ Cup semifinals. Third coming into the match, they risked missing the playoffs if they lost to the competition leaders.
Canterbury were always guaranteed top qualification for the semifinals and lacked the vigour of the visitors, whose tactics of defending stoutly and relentlessly kicking for territory in damp conditions couldn't be cracked.
But it was the Shield that meant most to the team and their supporters, who grew in confidence as Robinson slotted three penalties, in the 35th, 47th and 71st minutes.
His three-from-three return contrasted with a none-from-two effort from opposite Stephen Brett, whose 17th-minute dropped goal was Canterbury's only points.
Shorn of eight All Blacks, Canterbury still managed to dominate early possession and territory.
However, despite averaging 30 points a game, they rarely threatened the tryline.
Canterbury's tenure lasted just three defences and captain George Whitelock cut a dismayed figure as he handed the Shield to Southland skipper Jamie Mackintosh.
"I can't believe this, it hasn't really sunk in yet," Mackintosh told Sky Sport.
"There are people over in the crowd crying and what have you. I don't think we understand what we've done here but it's pretty special."
His team must come back to earth for a semifinal next week which could yet be against the same opponents at the same venue.
While the outcome guarantees Southland a playoff berth, the result was potentially a disaster for Auckland, currently 6th on the Air New Zealand Cup table.
Auckland now must hope Northland manage to get up against Hawkes Bay in Whangarei tonight. Otherwise Hawkes Bay are through.
Then Auckland need to travel to Hamilton and get the win against Waikato tomorrow night.
- NZPA