Otago beat Manawatu 51-35 in Palmerston North after leading 24-16 at halftime and, with the win, has virtually assured itself of a place in the ITM Cup Championship semifinals.
Otago would have to get no points from its remaining two games, and Southland get a maximum of 10 points from its final two matches for Otago to miss out on the post-season.
That does not look likely and Otago must now want to take something from the final two games to secure a home semifinal at least.
Last night, it again showed its attacking skills, bagging six tries and proving nothing beats speed.
Many had called for fullback Tony Ensor to be dumped after an ordinary effort against Hawkes Bay last Saturday.
But Brown stuck with the former South Otago High School pupil and that faith was repaid when Ensor scored two tries, including the game-breaker which sealed the game for Otago.
With Manawatu pressing and just four points behind, Ensor got the ball just outside his own 22m line and skipped and snaked his way through the Manawatu defence, to dot down under the posts. That try assured Otago of the victory.
Brown said Ensor had played well all season.
"He has been outstanding this season, and played well again tonight.
"One bad game does not make you a bad rugby player," Brown said.
"I think we went out there with a real attacking mindset and if we use the ball and make the most of the chances we get then we can score more points than them.
"It was good to get the win especially after backing up from that disappointing loss to Hawkes Bay."
The six tries gives Otago 17 tries in its past four games, although it scored none against Hawkes Bay.
But it was not all smiles for Otago, as No 8 and captain Paul Grant was forced off the field with a blow to his right shoulder after just 18 minutes.
Brown said it did not look good for his captain although he was unsure whether he Grant dislocated his shoulder, which was in a sling after the game.
Brown said the team decided to kick the ball more in the second half as energy levels were dropping and he wanted to put the home side under more pressure.
Apart from Ensor, first five-eighth Hayden Parker again looked class while Gareth Evans, who went on for the injured Grant, kept up his good form.
You would never bet your house on flanker TJ Ioane, who again mixed pleasure with pain for watching Otago supporters, but he scored two tries and made the advantage line with ease.
Otago had made a great start, scoring a try within the first couple of minutes.
After winning a lineout, the ball was spread to Ioane who passed inside to his skipper.
Grant brushed off tackles and, when he was lowered 5m from the line, fed prop Aki Seuilu, who dived over.
Manawatu then woke up and managed to hang on to the ball, with wing Lewis Marshall scoring in the corner after 10 minutes.
The visiting side scored its second try after 16 minutes.
Glenn Dickson caught an up and under from Parker and skipped free to release Ensor who could not be caught in a 40m sprint to the line.
But Otago was making some basic errors and Manawatu refused to go away. Three Nathan George penalties had the home side right in touch near halftime.
Ioane, who had a very mixed performance in the first half, managed to burrow his way over the tryline to give Otago some breathing space at the break.
ITM Cup
The scores
Otago 51
Tony Ensor 2, TJ Ioane 2, Glenn Dickson, Aki Seiuli tries, Hayden Parker 4 con, pen, Dickson 2 con, 2 pen
Manawatu 35
Callum Gibbins 2, Lewis Marshall, Antonio Kirikiri tries, Nathan George 3 con, 3 pen
Halftime: 24-16
