The NSW Waratahs' slim Super Rugby finals hopes have been flattened after another infuriatingly inconsistent effort in their 46-31 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The Chiefs - the last New Zealand franchise to lose to an Australian team, more than a year ago - scored six tries to four on Saturday despite the visitors enjoying plenty of territory and possession.
A magnificent 60-metre solo try to Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu was the highlight of a typically frustrating Waratahs performance, which underlined the problems that have plagued their campaign.
Coach Daryl Gibson lamented a high missed tackle ratio from the Tahs' marshmallow defence, as time and again opposing players were able to offload.
Poor discipline continued to be an issue, with hooker Tolu Latu and bench prop Paddy Ryan sin-binned for a trip and foul play respectively, the former just before halftime and the latter in the second half.
The home side capitalised on Latu's absence, with winger James Lowe crossing inside the first minute of the second half and halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow three minutes later, to set up a 32-3 lead.
"The damage was done in the early stages of the second half," Gibson said.
"The Chiefs got on a really excellent role and then obviously for us the yellow cards were pretty costly."
It was the same old story for the Tahs, who have invariably been monstered by New Zealand teams this season for the first 50 minutes and rallied to gain some respectability in the final half hour.
They twice rattled off 14 consecutive points to get within eight points with five minutes to go.
"It was frustrating how easily we can get points put on us and how easily we can put points on teams," Waratahs captain and openside flanker Michael Hooper said.
"Overall, very frustrating; the story of our season."
NSW have not kept an opponent tryless in any game this season.
"We don't seem to have a problem with ball-in-hand scoring tries, we have a problem conceding," Gibson said.
NSW have now conceded six tries to a New Zealand side on four occasions.
Hooper was again a standout for the Tahs, while the skipper nominated fullback Israel Folau, blindside flanker Ned Hanigan and centre Rob Horne as good players for his side.
NSW couldn't contain outstanding fullback Damian McKenzie or livewire winger Lowe, who notched a hat-trick of tries.
The loss meant NSW completed a clean sweep of five losses this year against New Zealand opposition.
The Chiefs led 18-3 at the break, with Brown and Lowe crossing for tries, before five-eighth Bernard Foley kicked the Tahs' first points from a penalty after the halftime siren.
The Waratahs comeback started with an intercept try to Horne and lock Will Skelton crashing over from a forward drive.
It was temporarily halted as more slick passing and support play put Kerr-Barlow over for his second try.
Waratahs winger Cam Clark crossed in the 73rd minute and almost immediately Kepu did likewise, after defying four defenders on his relentless charge.
Livewire Lowe completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute.
