Southland won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1959 when they beat Canterbury 9-3 at AMI Stadium tonight.
Three Robbie Robinson penalties were enough to lift the Log o' Wood. Southland now have the honour of locking the Shield away for the summer.
Their victory also helped them into a semi-final spot so it was a fantastic night all round for the hundreds of Southland supporters who were not surprisingly in fine voice and created a lively atmosphere tonight.
Canterbury knew Southland would be a tough opponent and the drizzly conditions didn't help the Red and Blacks, who couldn't get their quick running game going.
Though Canterbury played all the rugby in the first half, they could put only three points on the board thanks to a Stephen Brett drop goal after 17 minutes.
Southland preferred to keep things tight and kick the ball away - not surprising tactics from them, but Canterbury failed to make much headway against a well-drilled and determined defence.
Canterbury had a lot of skilful players on the track but had only a couple of half chances to score five-pointers all night and both came in the first half.
Canterbury had a clear overlap on attack but No8 Nasi Manu, who carried the ball very well all game, chose to take the ball into contact and the chance was lost. Fortunately, Brett kicked his drop goal shortly after but that was the end of Canterbury's scoring.
Brett had another crack at a drop goal seven minutes later but missed.
Robinson kicked Southland level four minutes before halftime when slotting home a penalty from in front after referee Chris Pollock decided the Canterbury defenders had left their feet in the tackle.
In the final seconds of the half, Canterbury centre Tim Bateman was put into space and went close to the try line but was pulled back by Pollock for a forward pass.
A scrum penalty to Southland six minutes after halftime gave them the lead for the first time.
Brett had a chance to square it with a penalty but, like his other penalty miss in the first half, the ball went just under the crossbar.
Southland were beginning to get on top and Canterbury's desperate attempts to find gaps in the defence were proving fruitless.
A Robinson drop goal attempt from nearly 40m hit the right post and with 10 minutes to go he put the nail in the Canterbury coffin with a penalty after the Red and Blacks were deemed offside at a ruck.
At 9-3 to Southland the game was up for Canterbury, who had defended the Shield four times since winning it off Wellington in August.
The loss of eight of Canterbury All Blacks left a big hole but the forwards held their own in the set pieces against their vaunted Southland opposites. Andrew Olorenshaw, Ti'i Paulo and Peter Borlase didn't take many backward steps against a front row of Jamie Mackintosh, Jason Rutledge and Chris King.
And Isaac Ross, James Broadhurst and Michael Paterson won enough lineout ball for Canterbury to be more than competitive.
Unfortunately, Canterbury lost their captain and openside flanker George Whitelock to a hip injury after only 20 minutes.
And fullback Colin Slade wasn't 100 per cent after hurting his neck in the warm up.
Canterbury now turn their attentions to their Air New Zealand Cup semi-final at AMI Stadium on Friday night so there is still plenty for them to play for.
The opposition is unconfirmed at this stage, but chances are it could be Southland. Now that would be some re-match!
Canterbury - Drop goal: Stephen Brett.
Southland - Penalties: Robbie Robinson (3).
HT: 3-3
Canterbury:
1. Andrew Olorenshaw
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Peter Borlase
4. Isaac Ross
5. James Broadhurst (18. Sam Whitelock 51min)
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c) (19. Matt Todd 20min)
8. Nasi Manu
9. Tyson Keats
10. Stephen Brett
11. Tu Umaga-Marshall (15. Colin Slade 70min)
12. Ryan Crotty (21. Casey Laulala 50min)
13. Tim Bateman
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade (22. James Paterson 58min)
Reserves not used:
16. Steve Fualau
17. Rodney Ah You
20. Willi Heinz