The powerful University A pack dominated the set-pieces and set the platform for its decisive semifinal win.
The big men in the student pack played a key role as they controlled the scrum and dominated the lineout.
The students won the lineout battle 18-7, giving clean ball to halfback Sean Romans.
Lock Alby Herron was the main ball-winner, but loose forwards Paul Grant, Hoani Matenga and Adam Thomson gained their share of ball.
Thomson, in his first club game of the season since being dropped from the All Blacks, played a dominant role as the students took charge and scored 11 points in the last 20 minutes to win the game.
Thomson was never far from the ball.
He teamed with No 8 Grant to take the students into the lead just before halftime.
Grant burst away from a scrum 60m out and broke through the middle and Thomson was up in support to score the try to give University a 13-12 lead at the break.
It was a gutsy display by Kaikorai, with lock Seko Kalou playing a key role.
No 8 Kensak Palepoi and flanker Alando Soakai were dominant in the first spell as the Kaikorai pack went in as a unit and controlled the breakdown.
Kaikorai scored two tries in the first 24 minutes to lead 12-5, but it ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes as it was forced to play catch-up rugby, and mistakes ensued.
The game slipped away from Kaikorai when University winger Brad Nicol grabbed the loose ball and scooted 30m for the try and the students led 24-17 with 15 minutes left.
Chris Noakes put it out of reach with a dropped goal near the end.
University A 27 (David Thompson, Brad Nicol, Adam Thomson tries; Chris Noakes 3 pen, dropped goal), Kaikorai 17 (Richard Cowley, Mark McGregor, Rob Griffiths tries; Cam Rutherford con).
Halftime: University 13-12.
Referee: Todd Pullar.
