Southern led University A 24-10 at the break in the semifinal at the University Oval on Saturday, but the students came back strongly in the second half to score 25 more points and win 35-27.
''To be fair, I couldn't repeat most of what I said to them at halftime,'' Hyde said.
''I knew our guys hadn't got themselves into the game at that stage. I gave them a bit of a wind up because I knew there was something more there for them.''
The students have a reputation for spreading the ball wide and outpacing their opponents. But they failed to do this in the first half.
''We went back to that in the second half and it paid off for us,'' Hyde said.
''We made a few little mistakes in the first spell that didn't allow us to get on the front foot.''
Taieri won the other semifinal and will play University A in Saturday's final at Forsyth Barr Stadium. It will be the Eels' fourth straight appearance in the final.
Taieri scored three tries and had a comfortable 20-3 win over Dunedin.
There have been few changes in the Taieri team from last year, with winger Dwayne Burrows and flanker James Lentjes the only newcomers to the club.
''Some of the guys have been in the team for some time now,'' coach Jason Macdonald said.
''We are getting some pretty good rewards for that consistency. Getting the opportunity to play in a final is the biggest battle. It was our goal at the start of the season.''
Taieri has been beaten just once this season but Macdonald said the team was not getting complacent.
''In our eyes, and in the eyes of the people on the Taieri, there is still one step to go. It is a clean slate for the semifinals and final. Results in the other 18 games count for nothing.''
Dunedin rugby
The final
Who: Taieri v University A.
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium.
When: Saturday, 2.30pm.
