And Otago is not bitter - just determined to return to the top tier.
That is what will motivate this team when it hosts Hawkes Bay in the Championship semifinal at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow, coach Tony Brown says.
As far as he is concerned, the Ranfurly Shield is gone and it was fun while it lasted. The team has not revisited what happened on that Sunday afternoon six weeks ago.
Not that anyone needs reminding, but Hawkes Bay wrested the Log o' Wood from Otago's grasp with a dramatic 20-19 victory.
The province had waited 56 years but had the coveted trophy just nine glorious days after taking it off Waikato.
''The shield was an awesome time for Otago rugby but I'm not one to look to the past,'' Brown said.
''We had it, we lost it. Now it is all about winning a semi, making the final and we are not too bothered by who we play.
''Defending the shield, we were a little bit tentative at the start of the game and we did not start playing some footy until the second half. For us, it is about going out there and implementing our plan straight away and doing it as best as we can.''
Otago trailed Hawkes Bay 13-9 at halftime and fell further behind when first five-eighth Ihaia West carved through a gap and ran 60m to score a try.
Just when his side needed some inspiration, Otago captain Paul Grant swatted away three defenders to set up a try for centre Jayden Spence. Winger Buxton Popoali'i scored with 6min remaining to set up a tense finish.
Otago pivot Hayden Parker missed the conversion which would have put his side in front and had a drop goal attempt charged down in the dying moments of the match.
''Both teams clearly have improved a lot and it is going to be a completely different game. We've come a long way as a team in six weeks. We're pretty comfortable with where we are at,'' Brown said.
Otago beat Auckland 37-33 in Dunedin on Sunday to clinch a home venue. The Razorbacks needed to win after Hawkes Bay upset Wellington 35-24 in Napier to temporarily leapfrog Otago in the championship standings.
The fact Auckland and Wellington have made the semifinals of the Premiership suggests Otago and Hawkes Bay are playing some very good rugby. It is also a reminder the tournament is put together in a very odd fashion. Otago played Canterbury and Auckland but not Wellington. Hawkes Bay played Wellington but not Canterbury or Auckland. Confused? A lot of people are.
Brown skirted the issue when asked what he thought of the format but expressed a longing for simpler times when there was just one division.
''Obviously, we want to play against the best teams in New Zealand and sometimes we do and sometimes we don't.
''I guess, for us, we want to be in that top division. But ideally we'd just have one division and have a crack at that.''
Otago had a day off yesterday and will train today. Explosive loose forward TJ Ioane is under an injury cloud. He is struggling with a shoulder complaint and has been bracketed with Willis Scott on the bench.
Otago has made three changes from the side which beat Auckland. Peter Breen replaces the injured Tony Ensor at fullback. Prop Craig Millar and lock Tom Franklin return after being rested against Auckland.
Hawkes Bay has stuck with the same 22 which beat Wellington.
Midfield back Andrew Horrell has overcome a leg injury and is a key player in the backline.
The Magpies have pace out wide in former All Black Zac Guildford. Loose forwards Mike Coman and Karl Lowe, who are heading overseas at the end of the season, will be keen to finish on a high note.
ITM Cup semifinal
Dunedin, tomorrow, 2.35pm
Otago: Peter Breen, Buxton Popoali'i, Kieran Moffat, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Lee Allan, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Tom Donnelly, Scott Manson, Liam Coltman, Craig Millar. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Aki Seiuli, Charlie O'Connell, Ezra Taylor, TJ Ioane or Willis Scott, Josh Renton, Tei Walden.
Hawkes Bay: Zac Guildford, Telusa Veainu, Richard Buckman, Andrew Horrell, Mike Vuicakau, Ihaia West, Alby Mathewson, Karl Lowe, Brendon O'Connor, Mike Coman (captain), Mark Abbott, Michael Allardice, Brendon Edmonds, Ash Dixon, Max Lahiff. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Adrian Barone, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Mark Atkins, Chris Eaton, Adam Bradey, Penikolo Latu.
What Otago needs to do
Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at three key areas for Otago ahead of tomorrow's semifinal against Hawkes Bay
1) Don't let them run
The Magpies have plenty of speed across the paddock and especially in the back three. Otago has to deny the likes of Zac Guildford and Telusa Veainu any room. How do you do that? Simply do not give them the ball with room to move. Otago does not have a lot of express pace in its backline but defence is all about organisation and communication.
2) Kick those goals
There is not much between these two teams so, to state the obvious, every opportunity which comes along must be taken. There are bound to be plenty of penalty chances so Hayden Parker has to be as accurate as ever.
3) Get desperate
This is semifinal time, so it is do or die. Players need to go that extra mile. It could be the last hurrah in the blue and gold jersey for some players, so they have to be totally committed in everything they do. These games often come down to attitude and desire. Otago needs to have plenty of both.
