The NSW Waratahs have come crashing back to earth with a crushing 42-14 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.
After snapping an eight-match losing streak against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, the Waratahs travelled to Waikato chasing another hoodoo-busting win to regain a place in the competition's top six and solidify their title credentials.
Instead, Dan McKellar's men will return to Sydney with tails between their legs after leaving the coach once again shaking his head in anguish on Saturday.
A nothing kick-away of the ball from flyhalf Jack Debrezceni after tireless flanker Charlie Gamble had done brilliantly to win back possession typified the latest Tahs horror show in another frustrating season of highs and lows.
Tahs skipper Matt Philip says the Chiefs do not give you many opportunities, and they played a lot of rugby in their end and could not win that physical battle.
The Tahs last won in Hamilton in 2014 - the year the franchise claimed their only title - and had high hopes of another famous victory after taking down the then-ladder-leading Chiefs in Sydney last year.
But the visitors were never truly in the contest after heading to the sheds trailing 24-7 at the break.
A Josh Jacomb penalty extended the lead to 8-0, before the Waratahs had their only joy of the opening half when Harvey fielded a 20-metre pass from Max Jorgensen to cross in the left corner.
Two more strikes from hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and centre Quinn Tupaea, and another Jacomb penalty earned the Chiefs their commanding 18-point halftime lead.
Not even the introduction of Wallabies pair Jake Gordon and Folau Faingaa straight after the interval could swing back the momentum as Tupaea crossed again, before flanker Samipeni Finau secured the Chiefs a bonus point and third spot on the table.
Pete Samu bagged a consolation try as the Waratahs slumped to eighth on the ladder nearing the halfway point of the season, before the Chiefs had the final say through another five-pointer from Taumoefolau.
Source: super.rugby
