Otago opened their ITM Cup rugby campaign with a 32-29 victory against Bay of Plenty in a cross-division game at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Premiership side Bay of Plenty looked assured in grabbing the early initiative, with powerful winger Tino Nemani strolling through poor Otago defence to score a try while fly-half Willie Ripia kicked the conversion and two penalties for a 13-0 lead after 13 minutes.

The Razorbacks regathered and hit back when second five-eighth Peter Breen scored on 25 minutes, from a chargedown, but Bay of Plenty led 19-13 at half-time after Ripia and Otago pivot Hayden Parker exchanged penalties.

Parker landed two penalties to level the scores 10 minutes after the restart, but Bay of Plenty regained the lead when hooker Joe Royal gathered a perfectly timed flat pass from halfback Samisoni Fisilau to touch down. The try was hard-earned reward for the visitors' good support play close to the ruck and hard work in committing numbers to the breakdown, but the lead was short-lived.

Replacement Otago flanker TJ Ioane sliced through from close range to level the scores at 26-26 with 20 minutes remaining, after which Parker and Ripia traded further penalties before the Razorbacks' kicker struck the decisive blow five minutes from full-time to wrap up the win.