Coach Steve Martin said problems securing the ball from kick-offs hurt Otago badly on Saturday.
"You need to retain the ball from the kick-off as it gives away any momentum you might get from scoring if you turn the ball over," Martin said after the 35-29 loss.
Although disappointed with the result, Martin said Otago had played much better than last week, and was in the game right to the end.
"We probably needed to score first straight after half-time.
We had a lot of ball in the second half and it opened up a couple of times but we just couldn't get over.
"It reminded me a little bit of the first half of the season, where we played well, dug in deep but sometimes just did not get the result."
Otago had injury problems in the outside backs during the match, with halfback Sean Romans forced to end the game on the wing.
Winger Ryan Shortland left the field with a hamstring twinge midway through the second half.
He was replaced by Fetu'u Vainikolo, who lasted about quarter of an hour before he left the field with a knee injury.
Centre Brett Mather did not come out for the second half due to a groin strain.
Martin said the team wanted to come back from the disappointing loss to Taranaki, where it knew it had let itself down.
It showed a much more gutsy performance, and the backline had attacked well.
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes praised his side's attitude, and ability to hang in there when the going got tough.
Having previously been to the South Island three times this season without a win, it was great to finally break the duck.
