The NSW Waratahs slumped to a fourth consecutive loss on Good Friday as the Melbourne Rebels bared their teeth on the road.
An error-riddled opening hour eventually opened up with Rebels trio Darby Lancaster, Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu scoring to seal the Tahs' fate in a 27-21 loss on home soil.
Here's what we learnt:
Let's not sugarcoat it. This was a bang-average game of Super Rugby Pacific.
In fact, the first hour was downright poor with a 58th minute quick-tap error from Miles Amatosero typifying this game for both sides. NSW won a penalty, set for the quick tap, and immediately handed possession back by failing to actually tap the ball. Go figure.
It took Langi Gleeson barging over in the 59th minute to finally ignite the crowd and put his side ahead for the first time at 14-10.
From there, the game picked up pace with Rebels flyer Darby Lancaster scoring on debut (65th minute) and Tupou smashing over with eight minutes to play.
Tahs replacement halfback Jack Grant hit back to set up a 22-21 grandstand finish before Filipo Daugunu shut the gate with a try in the final seconds.
It was almost poetic that Carter Gordon's late conversion attempt missed because neither side deserved a full slice of this pie.
Spare a thought for Tahs coach Darren Coleman, who's now seen his side drop their past four games by five points or less.
Back-to-back losses at home against the Highlanders and Blues preceded last week's golden point heartbreaker in Fiji.
Jake Gordon summed it up perfectly post-match with Stan Sport's Morgan Turinui.
"It's getting a bit repetitive now," Gordon admitted to viewers.
"You've got to review those moments but something's not working, especially when the heat's on us."
Gordon and Coleman could start with the penalty count - 18-4 against them - including 12 attacking penalties.
It wasn't pretty but it didn't have to be for Melbourne on Friday night.
The Rebels fronted up physically with more than 90 per cent tackle efficiency, including seven dominant hits, and conceded just three defensive penalties at Allianz Stadium.
Seven Melbourne players made 10+ tackles with Matt Gibbon (14 tackles, 2 turnovers) and Jordan Uelese (13 tackles, 1 turnover) hugely important up front.
"We knew in the contact area we weren't good enough. We really wante to light it up this week," Rebels captain Rob Leota told Stan Sport post-game.
"Sometimes you've just got to look within … and dig deep for each other."
With a second-ever away win against the cards on offer and 50-game milestones for Leota and Sam Talakai to consider, it's no surprise the Rebels came home with a wet sail and the Weary Dunlop Shield.
"It's always personal against the Tahs," joked Taniela Tupou during the Stan Sport post-game breakdown.
Clearly, Tupou needs to start taking every game personally.
The Wallabies tight-head was immense in his second half stint, forcing three scrum penalties, one turnover and scoring a 72nd minute try in a match-winning turn.
This world-class performance was streets ahead of his past fortnight following limited minutes and output against the Reds and Hurricanes.
Australian fans are crying out for a hero and Tupou can fill that mantle but it requires consistent performances, not once every three or four weeks.
Quality of this game aside, it was wonderful to see Will Harrison and Lalakai Foketi back in action for the Waratahs.
Harrison ended a 707-day stint on the sidelines when he ran out in the 62nd minute while Foketi's comeback from a freak neck injury was warmly received.
Despite an early wobble from the restart, Harrison's line-break assist in the 75th minute was crucial to Jack Grant's late try with Foketi also solid in his return.
On the other side, Filipo Daugunu's inclusion was game-changing following his personal hiatus with the centre topping Melbourne's carry list (11) and scoring the matchwinner.
