While scoring the perfect season seems like a skyward dream, it is something Te Puni raised with the team pre-season.
"I actually spoke about it when we started our training in November and everybody has bought into our ethos - which is like look out for each other, be honest and all that type of stuff.
"It'd be great if it happens, but at the moment we're only focussing on getting top two to get that home semi but if it comes, mate, we'll take that.
"It's in the back of our minds but we're just going each game at a time."
Even though Fosita's try was timely, after previously being denied for about 20 minutes by Otamatea's defence, Te Puni refused to credit any players for their performance.
"I can't do that man, we're all good," he joked. "It's hard to single out players, we play as a team. We've got Northland players but the guys who are putting their hands up are just as good."
Otamatea coach Dean Kenney said he was proud yet gutted at the same time, adding it was the first time he'd seen his side leave everything on the field. He added for his side to turn themselves around from where they were this time last year has also been a huge feat.
"Last year they were getting beaten by 60 points, but they had the opportunity to win that game," Kenney noted after Saturday's loss. "It's the first time we've seen them leave it all out there, that's all we can ask.
"That was a bit of a shock for Hora Hora. We've been there or thereabouts with our losses but some of the guys switch off at crucial times, but that's the difference with playing to a structure and not playing to a structure."
A poignant point in the loss for Otamatea was the loss of their captain Cole Campbell to a blue card, although Otamatea's coaching staff said it was a good decision by referee Kyal Collins as it was for Campbell's safety.
Moving into the next round, Hora Hora is comfortably top of the table with Wellsford, Mid Western, and Otamatea rounding out the top four.
Kenney said the second round would produce some interesting results now that every team had played each other.
"We know where all the teams are now so starting next round against Mid Western we know where we've got to be, and they know where we are. It's a whole new slate as far as we're concerned, we just need to continue going forward rather than sticking to around 30 per cent effort."
For an updated table see tomorrow's Northern Advocate.
See inside for a first round wrap of the premier reserve grade.
Results:
Southern District Premier Grade
Western Sharks 29 Old Boys Marist 22
Mid Northern 52 Hikurangi 22
Mid Western 24 Kamo 5
Wellsford 24 Waipu 14
Hora Hora 24 Otamatea 21
Southern District Reserve Grade
Old Boys Marist 40 Western Sharks 34
Mid Northern 53 Hikurangi 13
Mid Western 26 Kamo 23
Wellsford 49 Waipu 19
Hora Hora 37 Otamatea 10
