The dominant Otago scrum played a key role in the Spirit's seven-try win over Taranaki on Saturday.
Taranaki had no answer as the Otago scrum kept pushing it back with a rampaging display in New Plymouth.
Loosehead prop Pip Love had an outstanding game and was the best Otago player on the paddock with her strong work in the scrum and her dynamic work with the pick and go.
She was backed by rookie hooker Paige Church in the first half and by tighthead prop Molly Wright in the second.
Otago put its stamp on the game in the second half, when it scored 34 points, to maintain its unbeaten record after three games in the national championship.
It was not an easy game because a determined Taranaki team put pressure on Otago in the first half and held the Spirit to an 8-3 lead.
It was a nervous Otago team in the first 25 minutes, most of the team playing in a televised game for the first time. The Spirit played too loosely and went away from the game plan.
The only try in the first spell went to No 8 Leyhana Van Vugt, when she charged down a clearing kick.
Taranaki had a strong defence and none played better than left winger Michaela Blyde, who was a powerful tackler and scored a brilliant individual try when she ran 60m after charging down a clearing kick.
It was a different Otago team that played with more structure in the second spell after a stern halftime team talk by coach Marty Gray.
The Otago pack played ruthlessly and protected the ball better. The loose forwards dominated the breakdown.
The loose trio of Angie Sisifa, Greer Muir and Rachel Scott won fast second-phase ball in the second half and sustained the pressure with their support play. Scott was the pick of the loose forwards and she also won good ball in the lineout.
Each of the loose forwards was rewarded with a try and the other four tries were scored by the backs.
The other forward to impress was lock Syreet Norris who was aggressive with the ball in hand.
Black Fern Halie Hurring was in outstanding form at fullback and used her speed to score two brilliant individual tries.
The other backs to stand out were midfielders Lucy Anderson and Greer Muir, who ran strongly and made ground as they took the ball upfield. They both scored second-half tries.
Women's championship
The scores
Otago 42
Halie Hurring 2, Rachel Scott, Leyhana Van Vugt, Angie Sisifa, Lucy Anderson, Greer Muir tries; Hurring 2 con, pen
Taranaki 10
Michaela Blyde try; Kate Broadmore con, pen
Halftime: Otago 8-3.
