The defending champion won its opening three games and played Auckland-Waitakere in the late game last night.
The under-19 side, though, lost both pool games before rebounding to win a crossover game.
Under-21 coach Lauren Piebenga has an embarrassment of riches in the shooting circle, with Steel back-up shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Ashleigh Smith vying for starting spots at goal shoot, although Smith has also filled in at goal attack.
Selby-Rickit has first dibs on the bib after landing 81 of her 88 attempts. The other key player is Steel midcourter and last year's victorious captain Gina Crampton.
Otago demolished Counties-Manukau 74-26 in the opening round on Monday and returned that afternoon to beat Waikato 55-47 in a tight tussle.
Selby-Rickit was rested in the 62-29 shellacking of Wellington yesterday morning.
"As much as our Steel shooters are an asset, everyone is standing up," Piebenga said.
"Our connections through court have been working really well and we are backing each other up really well."
Otago beat Canterbury to claim the title last season but Piebenga believes Waikato shapes as the toughest opposition this year.
Otago under-19 has been on the wrong side of two thrilling matches, losing 33-32 to Christchurch on Monday and 35-34 to Counties-Manukau on Tuesday.
The team got back in the winner's circle, beating Howick Pakuranga 40-18 yesterday afternoon.
