Otago coach Tony Brown says his team could and should have held on to the Ranfurly Shield for a bit longer, after Hawke's Bay defeated Otago 20-19 on Saturday.
Otago had captured the Shield from Waikato only last week - its first Ranfurly win in 56 years.
It is the first Ranfurly victory for Hawke's Bay since 1969.
A try to the wing Telusa Veainu gave the challengers a 13-9 half time lead before first five Ihaia West broke Otago's line in the second half to score Hawkes Bay's second try.
The home side hit back with tries to centre Jayden Spence and wing Buxton Popoali'i,
but Otago fly half Hayden Parker missed the final conversion to give Hawke's Bay victory by one point.
Otago's coach, Tony Brown, says it's been a great nine days.
"The boys just wanted to go another seven, or another two weeks with it. It's always pretty gutting to lose something like that.
"I'm sure it's the first time it's happened to us and the boys are hurting for sure."
Tony Brown says it was an awesome week for Otago rugby, but it is time to move on.
