However, the signs were ominous for Hamilton when Rotorua No8 Matangireia Yates-Francis made a break off the side of the scrum busting through two weak tackles to make an easy 30m. The break was wasted however when Yates-Francis' pass was knocked on.
Equally impressive was openside flanker Mitch Regan, who scored two of his side's six tries. He was a constant menace for Hamilton with his size and pace he intimidated any would-be tackler who instead of getting their body behind the tackle - preferred to snatch and grab at his jersey with little success.
It took Rotorua only five minutes to open the scoring with halfback Te Ra Whata grabbing the first of his two tries. He ran 35m after picking the ball up from his No8's feet, during a scrum and ran the blindside to score without a hand being laid on him.
First-five Uru Hohepa converted the try but was unsuccessful 15 minutes later when Valen Keil scored Rotorua's second.
The score remained locked at 12-0 for the rest of the half, with both sides struggling to string phases together.
The second half saw some improvement in and around the ruck for Hamilton. Josh McCauley showed scant regard for his own safety when he smashed into a charging Regan dislodging the ball. But the stand outs for the visitors were their first-five Liam Garner who scored his sides only try and their right winger Cullen Robertson.
Scorers: Rotorua 39 (Te Ra Whata 2, Valen Keil, Matangireia Yates-Francis, Mitch Regan 2 tries; Uru Hohepa 5 cons) Hamilton 5 (Liam Garner try) Halftime: 39-5
