It is starting to sound like a broken record for Otago coach Steve Martin, but he is dead right.
Martin said inaccuracy from players in try-scoring opportunities was a big reason for his side coming up short last night.
"We are working hard at training on it and we don't do it at training. But it is a lack of composure at those times," Martin said.
"They [Hawkes Bay] made it hard for us with their defence being so strong and aggressive."
Otago has been guilty so far this season of getting possession in attacking positions, and dominating games through territory, but failing to back that up with five-pointers.
But Martin paid credit to the visiting side's tough tackling and ability to slow the ball down at ruck and maul time.
Martin said the call at half-time was to be more aggressive in defence and to have more depth in the backs, as the passing had to be more accurate.
The Hawkes Bay side was very strong and competitive at the breakdown and Otago needed to get players there in more numbers to clean the ball out.
When asked about the performance of referee Keith Brown, Martin noted Brown had penalised the Hawkes Bay side heavily at the start of both halves.
He was happy with the defence of the Otago side, and the set piece was fine.
Centre Brett Mather left the field at half-time after dislocating a finger, and being unable to pass.
The new rules meant it was difficult to score a long-range try, so there was little hope of scoring three times in the last 10min to win the game, he said.
Hawkes Bay coach Peter Russell said the side had targeted knocking off a big-five union.
He paid credit to his side's defence, which he said was all about attitude.
Russell felt it was a torrid game, with few turnovers, and his side's attack had failed to show much.
Having finishers in the side such as winger Zac Guildford was a definite advantage as there were a limited number of attacking opportunities.
Hawkes Bay captain and halfback Danny Lee suffered a head knock in the second half and left the field, but Russell said he should be right to play next week.
