It was a game that was always about celebrating the life of late Blair Vining and thanking the people of Otago and Southland for their unwavering support of the Southland Charity Hospital.

But to see the Blair Vining XV team take out the win at Rugby Park today, warmed the hearts of the thousands of supporters who turned out in their droves to see the spectacular game played ahead of the Southland versus Taranaki match.

Some 7631 people turned out to ‘Pack the Park’ in Invercargill today.

Before the match, Missy Vining said her late husband Blair would have been so happy to see so many supporters, and so many of his old mates, playing a good game of footy for a cause, along with some of rugby’s greats. 

Crowds answered the call to 'Pack the Park'. PHOTO: Lucy Henry

The Blair Vining XV team was made up of a mix of former All Blacks, friends of Blair and Missy Vining and even Kiwi media personalities. 

Coached by Sir Graham Henry and Chris Cairns, the team started off strong and finished even stronger. 

Before the match Sir Graham joked that given many of the players hadn’t played in a few years – he just hoped there would be “no broken bones” today.

Blair Vining's daughters Della-May and Lilly. PHOTO: Lucy Henry

At the end of the first half the Blair Vining XV had secured a comfortable lead, but soon into the second half the Invitational XV team began heating up, quickly scoring two tries.

Team captain of the Blair Vining VX and The Rock DJ Bryce Casey played to his strengths, making a quick dash for it to score a try in the 49th minute. He further impressed by then nailing a conversion, scoring 7 points in total.

The Invitational put up a good fight, with former All Black Troy Flavell in the number 4 jersey playing a competitive game, maintaining strong possession of the ball and putting some serious distance between the two teams on several occasions.

But it was not enough to secure a win and the Blair Vining XV won the match 52-17

Ahead of the game, Midlands rugby coach and long-time friend of the late Blair Vining Dayna “Bacon” Cunningham said he felt a mix of fear and excitement in taking to the field again after about almost five years out of playing rugby.

“I’m feeling more excitement than anything though… getting to play with some players that I idolised as a kid is pretty special and a rare opportunity.”

The game served as a curtain raiser to the SIT Zerofees Southland Stags versus Taranaki match which kicks off at 7.05 tonight.