Thomas Johnson scored almost two minutes after the final hooter as Otago beat Tasman 29-27 in the men's final of the Southern sevens region qualifying tournament in Timaru on Saturday.
It was a dramatic finish to a successful day for the Otago men's and women's teams, which both qualified for the national tournament in Rotorua in January.
The women fell short of defending their title after losing 22-17 to Canterbury in the women's final but needed only a top-three finish to qualify for the nationals.
Johnson's match-winner came just moments after Te Puoho Stephens scored his third try to put Tasman 27-24 up.
Otago barely claimed the all-important restart, before going 80m over a bunch of phases to win the match.
Ben Miller and Mika Mafi had good runs in the lead-up, before Johnson crashed over to win it all.
''It was a great game all round,'' coach Luke Herden said.
''The boys deserved everything that they got. That kick-off was going to be the last play. Even just taking that kick gave us a little sniff.
''For a group of young guys, it was pretty incredible how they stayed composed, held on to the ball and built for the victory.''
Otago, which beat defending champion Canterbury 21-19 in their semifinal, had led Tasman 12-0 inside five minutes, but Stephens scored twice in quick succession to tie the game 12-12 at halftime.
Miller and Gavin Stark, who combined brilliantly all day, set up Matt Whaanga for a try, which put Otago 17-12 up.
After Tasman captain Jesse Pitman again tied the game up with a try, Stark showed his express pace to score a brilliant solo try from 80m out.
It appeared as if Tasman had done enough to win it all after scoring two quick tries, but instead the stage was set for Johnson's match-winner.
The Otago women led Canterbury 12-0 early after Renaye Flockton and Greer Muir crossed the line, but the red and blacks scored 22 unanswered points to hold a 10-point lead with two minutes left.
Zoe Flockton scored a late try to pull the blue and golds to within five points, before a penalty gave Otago a chance to win it after the hooter.
However, Flockton lost the ball out wide and Canterbury clung on.
Otago had been hammered 31-5 by Canterbury earlier in the day and, led by Muir, Samara Hollows, Zoe Flockton, Renaye Flockton and Angie Sisifa, did well to bounce back.
The Otago teams will train for the next few weeks before breaking over Christmas. They will regroup in early January for the nationals, which start on the 17th.
