All Blacks prop Ben Franks has revealed he thought Hawke's Bay had lost the Ranfurly Shield challenge when the final whistle sounded in Dunedin yesterday.
The Magpies ended a 44-year drought without the Log o' Wood, edging Otago 20-19 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Franks told RadioSport he was pretty glum after the final whistle.
"I thought we were down by one point so when the whistle went I was like 'ohhh we've lost' and then I looked up and saw the boys were jumping up and down so it took me a few seconds to realise we'd won the game.''
Franks has rejoined the All Blacks squad in Hamilton to prepare for this weekend's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.
The Magpies arrive in Napier this afternoon and will parade the Shield through the city this afternoon and in Hastings tomorrow.