Southland Rams rugby league players line up for team handshakes after the 52-6 loss to Waikato.

The Southland Rams have boosted the profile of rugby league in the province, despite losing their NZ Rugby League Championship decider against Waikato.

A crowd of an estimated 1000 people showed up to the Elles Road Park to watch the top two teams in the championship clash for a spot in Saturday's promotion/relegation battle against the Wellington Orcas.

Waikato overpowered the Rams 52-6 to claim the championship crown, but Southland gained plenty of support after exceeding expectations to finish second in the championship, along with their first in the South Island regional competition.

Robyn Edie/Fairfax NZ Southland Rams player Jayleel Fa'amoe-Ioane about to feed the scrum.

"It was hard work out there, we were just a bit overrun, I am proud as of the boys though, we just came up against a better side, but everyone put their hearts out on the field though," Southland Rams captain Dylan Lovett said.

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"Each year as Southland is such a big rugby community, we are just trying to get league back in the picture it is unreal to see the sideline packed out on both sides."

Robyn Edie/Fairfax NZ Southland Rams player Logoafiafi Peteru looks to pass the ball while being tackled by Waikato.

"Just to see a bit more community support for the league boys, it has always been about the rugby, but just to see the turn out we had today, we are just trying to bring it up and get more younger boys involved in the game."

Lovett was pleased with the effort of his charges despite the heavy defeat.

"Everyone's heart was out there, we just got overrun a wee bit, maybe a bit more skillful, a bit fitter," he said.

Robyn Edie/Fairfax NZ A section of the large crowd gathered to watch the Rams vs Waikato game.

"I'm just proud of the boys, we can hold our heads high."

According to Lovett, Southland will learn from the experience of playing North Island teams, which they haven't done since 1994.

"I mean we didn't give up at any stage, it shows what we can do," he said.

"We beat one of the North Island teams last week we've just got to keep working hard and get back at it again."

Waikato showed their experience to outclass the Southland Rams in the NZ Rugby League Championship decider in Invercargill.

The match was relatively even in the opening stanzas, with the scores level at 6-6 at one stage, before Waikato showed their class to win 52-6.

Fullback Aaron Jolley scored 24 points, while Morgan Harper bagged a hat-trick to give the Southland team a reality check.

A great inside ball to hard running forward Eru Keepa opened the scoring for Waikato after 12 minutes under the posts and fullback Aaron Jolley added the extras to take the score to 6-0.

Southland then opened their account after 22 minutes Logotaeao Peteru pounced on a loose ball from a tackle and boosted through the gap to score adjacent to the posts.

Halfback Jayleel Fa'amoe-Ioane added the extras.

An attacking set straight after the kickoff led to a try for elusive Waikato winger Morgan Harper in the left hand corner.

Jolley slotted an impressive conversion from the sideline to give Waikato a 12-6 lead.

Waikato started making inroads into the Southland territory with their big ball running forwards.

Harper grabbed another try for the visitors after some nice running by five-eighth Nick Read opened the Rams' defence.

Jolley slotted the extras to extend the lead to 18-6.

Fleet-footed Waikato winger Harper secured a first half hat-trick down the Waikato left side with some nice footwork to take the halftime score to 22-6.

Waikato showed their class and experience in the second half as they started to punch holes in the tiring Southland defence, with their big forwards and dangerous backs keeping the Rams on their toes.

Halfback Te Puhi Rudolph and fullback Jolley bagged second half doubles, while prop Piripi Parangi scored a late try to give the visitors a handsome victory.

At a glance

Waikato 52 (Morgan Harper 3, Te Puhi Rudolph 2, Aaron Jolley 2, Eru Keepa, Piripi Parangi tries, Aaron Jolley 8 cons); Southland 6 (Logotaeao Peteru try, Jayleel Fa'amoe-Ioane 1 con); HT: 22-6.