The Western Force fell just short of a hoodoo-busting win across the ditch, falling 39-31 in Dunedin
They led the Highlanders late but couldn't hold on as a former Force man hammered in the final nail.
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So what did we learn?
With 12 minutes to play, Force fans could’ve been forgiven for thinking their horror run against Kiwi opponents across the ditch was finally over.
George Bridge’s 68th minute try put them ahead 31-29 and hopes were high of securing back-to-back wins in NZ for the first time since 2008.
But it wasn’t to be as the ‘Landers struck back through Caleb Tangitau before Reesjan Pasitoa’s late penalty goal twisted the knife.
The Force did so much right - especially around their defensive line out - but missed conversions and ill discipline around the ruck took their toll.
No-one does a defensive line out like the Force.
Simon Cron’s side made life a living hell for the Highlanders with seven line-out steals under the roof.
Jack Taylor couldn’t catch a break as Williams, Swain, Champion de Crespigny and Harris picked off throws at will.
Unfortunately, the Force’s set piece highs were tempered by their lows at ruck time.
Timoci Tavatavanawai had a field day over the ball as the ‘Landers forced seven ruck and maul turnovers.
Jeremy Williams deserves a round of applause for his quick-thinking try.
Caught half a metre short from the chalk after a pick-and-drive, Williams went to ground and deftly placed the ball - forwards - over the try-line.
His 36th minute masterstroke stunned the Highlanders (and the crowd) with referee Ben O’Keefe the only one to react.
The Sky Sport commentary team were also left momentarily speechless while Williams laughed all the way to the halfway mark.
There's a cruel irony in seeing a former teammate and Perth junior sink the Force in Dunedin.
Reesjan Pasitoa was lining up for Simon Cron last year and spent several injury-plagued years with the Force.
Now he's the man who delivered the killing stroke - his late penalty goal pushing the margin out to eight points, the result beyond doubt and denying the Force a losing bonus point.
No-one can begrudge seeing the man once anointed Australia's next generational flyhalf succeed but it's a tough pill to swallow when that success comes at an Aussie team's expense.
No bars about it, that narrow loss will be a sucker punch to the Force's hopes of a maiden finals berth.
Cron's men now take their three-week Kiwi tour to the nation's capital where the red-hot Hurricanes lay in wait.
The Canes were imperious in their 59-19 demolition of the Waratahs and will enter Round 5 as heavy favourites.
Now sitting 1-3 and with a Round 6 bye ahead, the Force risk losing touch with the pack and will be desperate to take something home from the Windy City.
