More than 20,000 fans witnessed the Otago Highlanders edge a 28-27 win against the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday as New Zealand welcomed the return of live sport after the coronavirus.
The highly anticipated fixture did not disappoint as Bryn Gatland's last-gasp drop goal settled a nail-biter in Dunedin.
Gatland scored the winning points in the 79th minute, denying the Chiefs after they had snatched the lead with their own drop goal just a minute earlier.
The Super Rugby game was played in a festival atmosphere at the Forsyth Barr Stadium just six days after New Zealand declared itself free of Covid-19 and lifted restrictions on mass gatherings.
"Actually being able to watch a rugby game after quarantine, we've come a long way since COVID. I think New Zealand's doing pretty good," a fan told AFP.
Gatland was only brought on to the bench for the Highlanders after Josh Ioane pulled out with a groin strain, and came on for his game-winning cameo near the end.
In a tense finish, Damian McKenzie's drop goal put the Chiefs ahead, only for Gatland to settle the contest with his long-distance reply from nearly 40 metres.
"I never imagined it would be like that," Highlanders captain Ash Dixon said.
