Waikato have been promoted back to the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership a year after being relegated thanks to a dominant performance in this year's Championship final against Otago.
The Mooloo men were simply too good for the southerners in Hamilton last night, claiming a 36-13 win at Waikato Stadium.
The big turning point in the match came early in the second half when Otago looked to be making a comeback thanks to a try in the 43rd minute James Lentjes.
That moved the score to 19-13, still in Waikato's favour, but the hosts responded almost instantly thanks to a superb play by winger Tyler Campbell.
First-five Fletcher Smith got the game back underway with a high kickoff towards Campbell's wing which fell 10m outside of Otago's 22.
The Waikato winger timed his run to perfection, soaring to take the ball uncontested after Otago miscalculated its flight path.
Otago could only watch as Campbell darted away towards the try line to score, killing all their momentum in the process and swinging the game back in Waikato's favour.
Waikato will replace relegated province Taranaki in the top division next season.
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