Redemption would have been fresh on the minds of the Otago players and they acted early in the match; Aki Seiuli added the first try within 3 minutes to take the Razorbacks out to a 7-0 lead.
Their attack looked sharp all night and put the Turbos' defence under immense pressure, but Otago's defence lacked the ferocity we have witnessed in some games this season.
Whenever Otago looked to be in control their defence let through some soft tries to the home-side, almost allowing their lead to slip through their fingers.
Thankfully, they made up for their defensive lapses by taking advantage of an even softer defence from Manawatu.
It was the genius of three key men - Tony Ensor, TJ Ioane and Glenn Dickson - that allowed Otago to notch up 50 points yet again and all but secure their place in the Championship semi-finals.
Ensor provided some real spark to the Otago backline. Some individual moments of brilliance saw the young fullback add two tries to the score tally.
He has looked dangerous all season, with probing runs from the back and putting his wingers in space, but this was Ensor's moment to shine. His performance will be noted by Jamie Joseph.
TJ Ioane is a man who never looks back; he throws himself at every tackle, ruck and maul with 100% commitment, adding some real mongrel to an Otago pack that has been lacking it in recent years.
His work-rate is superb and he has no fear, but Ioane's discipline at the breakdown area is his Achilles heel. This ill-discipline has cost him in recent weeks, and he has found himself on the bench to make way for some younger talent.
When he was named in the starting line-up against Manawatu, Ioane would have been eager to repay his coaches with a solid performance and he did just that.
Ioane committed himself to everything, he watched his discipline and adding two five-pointers to his name. Not a bad way to repay your coaches and cement a starting position.
Many Otago fan's hearts would have skipped a beat when Paul Grant left the field injured.
Grant's leadership has been a real driving force behind the success of this Otago side - he leads by example and puts in a solid work-rate week after week.
His departure would have left a hole but, as he has done previously, Glenn Dickson gladly put his hand up and filled this role. He proved himself yet again as a stand-in captain and steered his team to a comfortable victory.
While it would take something remarkable for Otago to lose their place in the play-offs this year, the task ahead of them will not be an easy one.
Wellington and Auckland, two teams who are battling for top spot in the premier competition, lie ahead.
Can this young Otago side withstand such a formidable challenge? The pride and determination are there. If they can add some Southern firepower into the mix, these northern giants may be in for the shock of their lives.
- Paul McDonald