There was a feeling of deflation at McLean Park for Otago, which was out-muscled in a 27-13 loss to Hawkes Bay in the championship match.
It was a first setback for Eben Joubert and his rejigged team, which entered the game on the back of two straight wins, including the drought-breaking midweek victory at Eden Park.
Otago did not do a lot wrong, but its scrum was put under uncharacteristic pressure and the backline was a little erratic at times.
But Hawkes Bay looked full of much more intent, vigour and strength.
The Magpies looked particularly inspired in the second half, as they held on to the ball and used their powerful ball-runners to break down Otago's challenge.
Otago looked a bit flat, perhaps understandable given the heavy workload at the start of the season, though every side is having to deal with that.
Joubert thought Otago was reasonably well-placed at halftime, despite trailing by seven.
"We thought with the wind at our backs, we'd be OK in the second half," he said.
"But it's a simple game. If you don't front up and don't win your set piece and rucks, you can't win."
Otago was looking for a third straight win, which would have represented a superb comeback after last season's disastrous effort.
"Two and one is OK for most teams. But for us, it's not good enough," Joubert said.
"It's a tough competition. But there's no time to go back and cry about what's happened."
Otago scored just one try, with rising flanker TJ Ioane exploding into space following a turnover in the second half and finding Joe Hill with an inside pass.
Otherwise, Otago could not breach the Hawkes Bay defence and had to be content with points off the boot of Glenn Dickson.
Hawkes Bay scored two tries in the second half, one from an Otago mistake and one from sheer strength.
Young first five Hayden Parker had played well in the first half but missed touch shortly after the break, and the home side swept down the field and created a try to Daniel Kirkpatrick.
Then, after Hill's try had narrowed the gap to seven, the Magpies responded immediately with multiple phases featuring powerful ball-running, ending with halfback Kahn Fotuali'i skipping over beside the posts.
Young forwards Gareth Evans and Rob Verbakel stood out for Otago in the first half, and Dickson ran strongly from the back.
But there were few individuals to shine in the second spell. Even Ben Smith, released from the All Blacks, looked rather scratchy.
Hard-driving forwards Sona Taumalolo, Hika Elliot and Mike Coman led the Hawkes Bay pack around the field, while Fotuali'i showed great energy.
It had been a scratchy first half, with Hawkes Bay capitalising on some early Otago infringements to take a 6-0 lead.
But the Magpies were guilty of too many handling errors and could not find any sort of momentum.
Parker displayed some clever kicking skills into the stiff breeze, and Otago had plenty of ball but could not find much room to move.
Dickson kicked a penalty to narrow the gap and added a second to make it all square.
But Hawkes Bay, possibly recognising the need to score more points with a significant wind advantage, cranked into gear in the final minutes.
The Magpies were held up over the line but finally got their try when big prop Taumalolo burrowed over with minutes remaining.
Otago heads north again this Saturday, to Whangarei, to play Northland.
- The scores
HAWKES BAY V OTAGO
• Hawkes Bay 27
Sona Taumalolo, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Kahn Fotuali'i tries; Andrew Horrell 3 con, 2 pen
• Otago 13
Joe Hill try; Glenn Dickson con, 2 pen.
• Halftime: Hawkes Bay 13-6.
