The Queensland Reds were blown off the park by the Hurricanes after a brilliant start, falling 30-17 at AAMI Park.
They failed to react to the yellow carding of Connor Vest and the hosts made it dearly pay for a sloppy second half.
So what did we learn from the match?
1.Coming back to haunt them
Once again, the Reds find a way to make life difficult for themselves with a soft card.
Just when it looked like the script had flipped and they were going to take advantage of some sloppy discipline, they gave it all back with Connor Vest’s clumsy swinging arm.
When facing the Kiwi opposition, you can’t allow them any free opportunities and this is exactly what this yellow card was as their 17 point lead evaporated with two tries either side of the break.
It’s something that’s almost become a weekly occurrence for the Reds, punished for it and remains their key work on heading forward.
2.Signs of life
The most frustrating aspect of this defeat for Reds fans is they looked like genuine title contenders in the first 30 minutes.
The Hurricanes had no answer for their rapid speed across the park as Hunter Paisami proved lethal, breaking them open with a great dummy and step, with TJ Perenara and coach Jason Holland admitting after the game they were left scrambling for answers.
However, once Vest was yellow carded, it seemed like they dropped their heads and lost any shape in attack.
If they can find that same level of performance for eighty minutes, they will battle with the best. Another performance like this will have Brad Thorn scratching his head for a solution.
3.World class
Ardie Savea continues to make his case for Super Rugby Pacific POTY as he inspired the Hurricanes to victory.
The whack to the head from Vest all of a sudden woke up the sleeping giant as he was everywhere for the hosts.
The rest of the side lifted around the number eight and allowed them to find that next level to blow away the Reds.
He was by far the crowd favourite and he delivered a masterclass to send a crowd full of Kiwis happy.
4. Stepping up
Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson did their Wallabies' ambitions little harm as they tried everything to get them over the line.
Wilson remains as dangerous as ever with ball in hand as he toyed with the Hurricanes' defenders to start the game.
Meanwhile, McReight remains a menace over the ball, even if he didn’t time right a couple of times, and showed some great awareness to score the second try of the game.
It's getting to a stage where the 23-year-old is becoming a near-impossible prospect to leave out, despite the presence of Michael Hooper and Dave Rennie's preference for a versatile Pete Samu on the bench.
5.Playing to the whistle
It’s the oldest saying in the books and it’s what let the Hurricanes back into the contest when Bailyn Sullivan raced 60 metres to score.
The Reds' players seemed to stop when Lawson Creighton’s wayward pass found Julian Savea, as three players watched Sullivan pick it up and race away.
The pass was 50-50, probably just going back, but the inability of the Reds defenders to stop him regardless of what Angus Gardiner was going to do ultimately hurt them and started the hosts’ comeback.
