Having done their part, Otago will now have to sweat out Saturday's National Provincial Championship (NPC) matches.
Otago surged in the second half to a 31-28 victory over Northland at Whangarei's Semenoff Stadium on Friday night to conclude their regular season, moving into a quarterfinal spot, perhaps, just for now.
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With 26 points, Otago moved up to seventh from 10th, but three teams - Canterbury (25), Counties Manukau (23) and North Harbour (23) - could overtake them again with victories on Saturday.
The Steelers face last-placed Manawatu in Palmerston North (kick-off 2.05pm), North Harbour battle the out-of-contention Southland Stags in Invercargill (kick-off 4.35pm) and Canterbury host Waikato in Christchurch (kick-off 7.05pm).
Otago, currently on a three-match winning streak, require at least two of the three to lose to remain in the top-eight.
At halftime, Otago's quarterfinal hopes were dwindling, dominated in the first half away from home and down 21-10.
However, first-five Cameron Millar, who finished with 16 points, sparked the comeback with a 75m intercept try in the 43rd minute.
Fullback Finn Hurley sliced through the Northland defensive line in the 57th minute to put the visitors ahead for good, then reserve lock Fabian Holland shunted over after a 5m lineout drive came up just short in the 63rd minute.
Northland scored their fourth try through replacement prop Remys Lemisio in the 75th minute, with Rivez Reihana's conversion getting the Taniwha within three, but Otago were able to hold on.
Earlier, Northland scored tries through flanker Rob Rush, prop Allan Craig and wing Heremaia Murray to lead by 11 at the break. Flanker Christian Lio-Willie kept Otago in the contest with a 28th-minute try.
Otago 31 (Christian Lio-Willie, Cameron Millar, Finn Hurley, Fabian Holland tries; Cameron Millar 4 con, pen) Northland 28 (Rob Rush, AllanCraig, Heremaia Murray, Remsy Lemisio tries; Rivez Reihana 4 con). HT: 10-21
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