Well what a weekend of rugby that was!

Southland's victory over Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield was a huge buzz for me as it shows that the smaller regions outside of the big five can still get up and turn the tables on the big guns.

This is great for the smaller provinces as they will always know it is possible to win the Log o' Wood.

Southland has had a great year, based on a very good pack and a well directed backline.

It just goes to show that good defence does pay off.

I, like other Kiwis around the motu, wish them all the luck in trying to take the double of Ranfurly Shield and Air New Zealand Cup.

The Shield undoubtedly still holds mana around the country, especially in the smaller regions and this will be around for a long time to come.

It has been 50 years since Southland last held the Shield so I'm picking the win will buoy them up for the next week or two.

And, of course, the region will party until the cows come home.

This weekend's semi-finals will be really interesting especially with Hawke's Bay losing to Canterbury just a couple of weeks ago - and they'll want revenge.

The Magpies will fancy their chances of avenging that defeat especially as the Red and Blacks have lost so many players to the All Blacks' tour of Japan and Europe.

This could be the year for the big upset and, after such a big weekend, my gut feel is that Southland will topple the Lions in Wellington.

That will lead to a fantastic final few thought possible at the start of the season between the Stags and Hawke's Bay.

Yahoo! Great for the little men.

The Air New Zealand Cup has been a fresh of air this season, but no thanks to the New Zealand Rugby Union.

No, the kudos for that goes to all the many people working hard in the provinces getting their boys to play open, enterprising hard rugby.

Hallelujah for that! Big ups to all the coaches and their staff for having the courage to let the ball do the talking.

This season has been one of the best seasons I have seen for many years and long may it continue.

How that chances next year when four teams get relegated, though, is anyone's guess.

But no-one can deny seeing all the smaller provinces beat the big five has been fantastic to watch!

I'll be back later this week with my thoughts on the All Blacks as they face up to Robbie Deans' Wallabies in Tokyo.

Until then, let me know who you think will get to the Air New Zealand Cup final and who you think will win.