The Queensland Reds were unable to claw their way back as they went down 31-21 to the Chiefs in Brisbane.
Les Kiss' side rose to the occasion but will be annoyed they couldn't deliver the late dagger to come away with the win.
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So what did we learn?
The Queensland Reds will feel frustrated about Seru Uru’s denied try but will ultimately leave wondering what could’ve been.
Uru’s disallowed effort at half-time will likely lead to an apology during the week (among others), but the hosts found themselves losing their heads at critical times, conceding crucial penalties at the wrong time and missing a chance to punish Chiefs mistakes.
When they did hit back, they were down to 14 after Jeffery Toomaga-Allen was pinged for a cynical foul.
They showed they could match it with one of the best; however, they didn’t have the execution when it counted.
The Super Rugby Pacific finals are all but locked in to New Zealand after the Chiefs win over the Reds.
There’s now an 11-point gap between the third-placed Blues and the Reds, who let the bonus point slip late in the game.
It looms as a shootout between the Hurricanes and Chiefs, although the Crusaders loom as the ultimate spoilers in the final couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, the Reds need to build momentum as they face a tough trip to Western Australia to face the Force.
Isaac Hutchinson is the latest outstanding outside back to come through the Chiefs system, taking advantage of a litany of injuries.
Hutchinson torched the Reds early, showing up Filipo Daugunu with a lovely step to nearly create a length-of-the-field try.
It was one of two early line breaks for the 22-year-old, having taken his chance in his second start.
Liam Coombes-Fabling is another who has capitalised on the injuries to Eteni Nanai-Seutro, Leroy Carter and Emoni Narawa, looking a threat on the edge whenever he got an inch of space.
Carter Gordon showed in 30 minutes why he’s been the favoured half for Joe Schmidt since his return from the NRL.
On his first carry, he burst through the Chiefs defence and suddenly sparked a Reds attack that needed something special.
He had a hand in both of the Reds’ second-half tries, with his cut-out ball to Harry Wilson only matched by the back-rower’s ridiculous flick pass to Joe Brial.
The lack of goal-kicking remains a concern but his class is hard to ignore as long as he is fit.
The Queensland Reds’ Achilles Heal remains their lineout as they start to feel the loss of Josh Canham.
The Reds entered Super Round middle of the pack but are now dropping down the rankings after three lost in the first half.
It comes after they lost four straight against the Brumbies last year, with the connection off and frustration showing as one Red could be audibly heard saying ‘what are we doing’ after a crucial loss in Chiefs territory.
The Reds need to clean this area up, especially before they play a Western Force side that is deadly at disrupting opposition throws.
