It claimed a 39-17 victory over Hawke’s Bay in Napier on Saturday to go to the top of the Championship division of the Farah Palmer Cup.
After leading 10-5 at the break, Otago ran in five second half tries to finish a convincing winner.
It had been creating chances through the first half, but that had not translated to dominance on the scoreboard.
In the second half it found its finishing touch, as Otago ran away with the game.
"We sort of knew if we could keep moving this team around that something would open up as well," coach Kane Jury said.
"I think we scored shortly after the start of the second half and that was just through pure structure and we just opened them up through that.
"I think what was really pleasing for me was that at halftime we had to adjust our game plan a little bit.
"The girls were able to do that, which shows how well this team’s going, so really, really happy."
After looking to attack through the forwards early, the team looked to get the ball wider after halftime.
The Hawke’s Bay team’s physicality caused Otago to lose accuracy at the breakdown.
As it began to look wider, it was able to break down the Hawke’s Bay defence.
Cheyenne Cunningham scored first for the Spirit to take the score to 5-0. Georgia Mason crashed over on the 30min mark to double that.
Hawke’s Bay hit back before the break, but a penalty try right after halftime restored the Spirit’s double-digit margin, at 17-5.
The home side hit back again, before Annemieke van Vliet answered with a bonus point try, taking the score to 22-10.
Quick tries to Leyhana van Vugt and Greer Muir extended the margin, before the teams exchanged tries to finish.
Jury said blindside flanker Morgan Henderson had been the standout player, while Sheree Hume’s kicking gave Otago good field position.
The midfield was key in gaining go-forward, Tegan Hollows’ lineout throwing was good and Angie Sisifa and Georgia Mason were strong in the loose.
Otago v Hawke’s Bay
The scores
Otago 39
Cheyenne Cunningham, Georgia Mason, Annemieke van Vliet, Greer Muir, Leyhana van Vugt, Sam Hollows tries, penalty try; Sheree Hume 2 con
Hawke’s Bay 17
Gemma Woods 2, Jessica Bennett, tries; Renee Holmes conHalftime: 10-5