Otago 27
Bay of Plenty 20
Otago are into their first Championship final since 2012 and will host their first decider since the famous 1998 NPC climax at Carisbrook.
From the get-go under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Otago sought to move the ball and keep it alive. It was rugby not without risks, especially against a tenacious Steamers outfit, but they took a 14-6 lead into the break and were always ahead of the game.
The Otago pack were well led by lock Tom Franklin, in his 50th match for the union - though he blotted his copybook in the second spell with an ugly no arms charge on Dan Hollinshead - and loose forward James Lentjes. Both scored tries and both were heavily involved.
The scrum battle was torrid, but Otago ultimately held the advantage in that area and in the collisions, where their defence was heavy.