Rugby: Stags courageous under fire

Andrew Van der Heijden tries to make a break during the round nine ITM Cup match between Southland and Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Three precious penalties. Southland worshipped their goalkicker Robbie Robinson and the relentless courage of their pack last night as they continued their colourful Ranfurly Shield defence against Auckland.

Adventure was limited but this was all about courage under fire, which side would blink first and in the washup, Southland held their composure a shade longer than the visitors. There had been little between the sides all season in the statistical analysis and that pattern continued in Invercargill.

"I think we might have relaxed a bit in the second half when we thought the work was done and that's a killer in these type of games," Auckland lock Andrew van der Heijden said.

Southland rewarded a region which has been belted by snow showers and storms all week while Mayor Tim Shadbolt may swap occupations after a pre-match prediction Southland would triumph by the eventual winning score.

"That is pretty surreal," victorious captain Jamie Mackintosh said. "This was our big test, it might not have been pretty to watch but it was certainly hard to play in. To hang on for the win, I don't care how it was done, it is special for the province, it has been a tough week."

A year ago Auckland were shut out of a shield challenge against Wellington by a point and this time they failed to reignite after a deadlocked first half playing into the wind. They failed to emulate their provincial predecessors who 51 years ago to the day, claimed the famous national trophy from Southland with a grinding 13-9 victory.

Southland had been favoured to beat Auckland at home for the first time since 1971 and the celebrations, even from a crowd reduced because of the region's difficulties, mirrored 40 years of rugby relief.

Auckland made a sloppy start to their match last week and looked to have dodged a bullet from the kickoff last night as van der Heijden made a hash of the catch. But from there Auckland did well, grinding into the wind, putting together multiple phases until they got near the line.

They botched a scrum clearance or two, made a fumble at crucial times or were denied by the tenacious Southland defence. They played into the wind and would have been extremely pleased to have turned all square at the break. They marshalled some decent variety round the inside channels, using halfback Toby Morland as a runner or distributor while five-eighths Matt Berquist also attacked the line or turned back towards his pack.

Jamie Helleur banged straight ahead and both wings were used close to the rucks to tie in the Southland loose forwards.

Southland were pure grit, regular pests and defensive limpets as they tiptoed down the rulebook wielded by referee Vinny Munro.

He ruled another turnover on the line as he did against Aled de Malmanche last week in Hamilton while in another vital moment, after multiple replays, the television match official could not see whether Auckland flanker Onosai Auva'a had scored in a mass pileup.

Away from that hardship, Robinson goaled a penalty after 31 minutes while Berquist replied after the halftime hooter had gone. All square, oranges and halftime lectures from the coaching staff - it was all on.

Berquist and Robinson shared penalties straight after the break, Robinson then missed one before his last attempt from a similar spot nailed the result. Auckland lost skipper Daniel Braid to a last quarter head injury and muffed a few half chances but even they would have raised their after match beers to the gallant and courageous victors.

Southland: 9 ( R Robinson 3 pen)

Auckland: 6 (M Berquist 2 pen).

Half Time: 6-6.