Hawke's Bay have survived a sideline conversion attempt after the final siren to remain unbeaten after four games of their 2023 NPC campaign.
Leading Otago by 16 points early in the second half, the Magpies watched their advantage disintegrate over the final half hour. They still led by nine with six minutes remaining, when loose forward Patrick Tuifua was yellow-carded, but the resulting penalty reduced that margin to six.
In the dying seconds, the southerners broke out of their own half and replacement Finn Hurley kicked ahead to the tryline. Winger Paula Balekana seemed to have the bounce covered, but failed to force the ball, as second-five Jack Leslie chased and scored.
Hurley teed up a conversion from the right touchline to win, but pushed his kick left, as Bay held on for a 33-32 victory.
The home side capitalised on a yellow card to Otago hooker George Bell, scoring 19 unanswered points to lead 26-12 at halftime. When No.8 Devan Flanders scored a converted try soon after the restart, their advantage was 16, but winger Jeremiah Asi's try was converted by Hurley to set up a frantic final flurry.
"It's a habit we don't really want, but it's good to be winning," admitted Bay captain Tom Parsons. "We're grinding it out, even the close ones.
"We started well, built momentum, but after halftime, Otago came out and put pressure on us. We held it and put some good phases together, but just didn't have the full 80."
The result sees Otago still winless through three games, with Southland looming next Saturday, while Hawke's Bay visit Auckland that same day.
Meanwhile, try doubles to winger Kini Naholo and replacement halfback Adam Lennox have propelled Taranaki to their fourth win of the season, 29-17 over Waikato, and outright possession of the competition lead, courtesy of bonus points.
The Bulls face Bay of Plenty next Saturday.
Hawke's Bay 33 (Flanders, Tiatia, Smith, Sapsford & Flanders tries; McClutchie 4 conversions) Otago 32 (Lio-Willie, Whaanga, Mau, Asi & Leslie tries; Gilbert conversion, Hurley penalty & conversion)
Taranaki 29 (Naholo 2, Lennox 2 & McKenzie tries; Potroz 2 conversions) Waikato 17 (Dyer, Sinkinson & McCurran tries; Cook-Savage conversion)