His beloved North Otago challenged Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield at Whitestone Contracting Stadium in Oamaru.
It was just a shame about the score - 113-3 to Auckland.
The birthday boy and his mates, dressed in the maroon and gold colours of North Otago, were in their usual spot on the embankment.
Their vocal chords and bugle went into overtime when the North Otago players ran on to the field and when the team scored its solitary three points 20 minutes into the game.
The club was set up about 1996 and now boasts 121 members.
They hoped to have another 30 by the time the Heartland competition starts and Mr Rawson expected North Otago to have a good season.
The club was all about friendships forged, fun on the embankment, trips away and "just general fun".
They drank beer, yelled plenty and "assisted" the referee, he said.
North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson was "ecstatic" about the size of the crowd which turned out for the game.
He estimated about 4500 people attended.
Mr Jackson described the game as "David and Goliath", with an opportunity to see many potential All Blacks, and said it was a "fantastic" day for the North Otago community.
"Everyone's enjoying themselves. That's what is all about. It's an occasion. We don't get Auckland coming here every day," he said.
Half-time entertainment was provided by the St Josephs Dominican Choir and the school's kapa haka group which was greeted with rousing applause.
