Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back on its previous two unsuccessful trips to the final and what needs to be done to win on Friday.
2012 v Counties-Manukau, Pukekohe, lost 41-16
Otago brought back the likes of Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison and Adam Thomson for the final but it all went south as the home side was too good. Otago was in the match at halftime just seven points behind but faded in the second half as Counties-Manukau came home strongly to win convincingly.
2016 v North Harbour Dunedin, lost 17-14
To put it bluntly, Otago blew this big time.
It scored in the first two minutes and had other chances in the first half but trailed 11-7 at the break.
It got the score back to 14-14 but somehow missed three penalty attempts in the final minutes. Harbour got a chance to win it and Bryn Gatland landed a drop goal with mere seconds left on the clock.
Harbour celebrated while Otago mourned.
The evidence says
The stakes are obviously higher in finals, especially in the Championship where promotion to the big boys table awaits the winner.
Let's be honest here, Otago has overachieved this season. It has no real stars in its forward pack and a backline which has grown as the season has gone on. Finals tend to favour the teams which have the territory and play the big moments well. Otago won in Hamilton two weeks ago as it took the chances which came along and defended well, especially against the Waikato lineout.
What it has learnt from the previous two finals is it has to last 80 minutes, be absolutely ruthless when a chance comes along and dominate the territory.
Plus a bit of the rub of the green from the referee will come in very handy.
In an interesting aside to the three finals, no player will have played in all three finals for Otago.
Liam Coltman played in 2012 but did not play in 2016 as he was in camps with the All Blacks.
Aki Seiuli played in 2012 and 2016 but has injured his knee and will not be turning out in Hamilton.