The NSW Waratahs let a golden opportunity slip against the Blues on Saturday, falling 35-20 in Sydney.
Dan McKellar's side were in prime position early in the second half and led 20-8 before the visitors shifted gears for a bonus-point win.
Torian Barnes' 80th minute try was salt in the wound as the Blues notched a 12th straight victory over the Tahs.
So, what did we learn?
NSW should've led the Blues by 20 at the break after enjoying 71 per cent territory and 63 per cent possession before oranges.
The Tahs were held up over the try line twice in the opening 20 minutes while Harry Potter will rue two missed chances near the line.
The worst was seeing Jack Debreczini offload with clear air ahead of him in the 28th minute - though he did well to cash in shortly after from a questionable assist.
Simply put, the Tahs were their own worst enemy for not putting on enough points when they had momentum while the Blues made every post a winner after half time.
NSW's front row was the chief concern heading into 2026 without Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou.
Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Dan Botha have well and truly put that concern to bed.
The trio were again immense in sky blue, forcing two scrum penalties on a Blues feed and their set-piece was matched by workrate.
Dobbins almost laid on a worldie try assist from the boot - but that title lays solely with James Slipper.
The Waratahs' embarrassment of outside back riches has only grown with Sid Harvey's arrival.
Since debuting against the Hurricanes, the Narrabri Blue Boar has grown in confidence and was cool as a cucumber at fullback.
Harvey topped the Tahs' carry charts with 139 metres from 13 runs while beating six defenders and adding three line breaks to his name.
Equally adept at wing and fullback, Harvey's goalkicking and left boot will be invaluable for NSW's late charge to finals.
New Zealand have no shortage of centres - but AJ Lam could make life very interesting for incoming coach Dave Rennie.
The powerful Blue now has 60 Super Rugby caps and showed all his experience and power in a two-try showing on Saturday.
Lam smashed the Tahs with 49 post-contact metres and six tackle busts.
While his defence might be light-on at Test level, Lam has been around the traps for the All Blacks XV long enough for Rennie to have a peek.
Next week's Aussie derby with the Brumbies just got even spicier.
The stakes are high enough when NSW and ACT lock horns - but the Tahs are now outside Super Rugby's top six and face a tough fortnight ahead.
Round 7 in Canberra is make or break when McKellar rolls into GIO and it doesn't get easier a week later against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
NSW are three competition points behind the sixth-placed Crusaders and could quickly lose touch with two more losses.
