The Queensland Reds will be left to ponder what could've been after their 35-30 defeat to the Highlanders.
They looked set to replicate their Chiefs heroics when Tom Lynagh kicked a long-rage penalty, only for Folau Fakatava to break their hearts and send 'the Zoo' wild in Aaron Smith's final home game with seconds to go.
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It leaves their finals hopes on shaky ground as they head to Fiji needing to win to play finals.
So what did we learn?
1 PASSING THE TORCH
Folau Fakatava's 79th-minute try was the type of 'passing the torch' moment that scriptwriters dream of in mentor Aaron Smith’s final game in front of the ‘Zoo’.
The Highlanders fought for their inspirational captain and refused to give up down 13 heading into the final quarter.
Whilst there would’ve been temptation to leave Smith out for the full 80, these are the types of scenarios that Fakatava thrives in, finding space around the ruck to dive over.
It keeps the Highlanders’ finals hopes alive, needing to back it up against the Blues in Auckland as they occupy eighth for now.
Meanwhile, the Reds will have to do it the hard way in Fiji to book their spot in the finals.
2. THE (HIGHLANDERS) TROUBLE WITH HARRY
Harry Wilson was a man on a mission for the Reds and sent a message to Eddie Jones and selectors.
It was a showcase of the full arsenal from the number eight. He set the tempo with some early touches and offloads and then broke the game open with a dominant carry off his own line, fooling the fullback with a dummy before his Reds’ teammates finished off one of the tries of the year.
The determination to perform was written on his face when Wilson, tongue out, skittled defenders like a bowling ball to flip momentum and eventually lead to a late first-half try.
Wilson finished with a game-high 16 carries for 89 metres to go with several offloads and the key break to set up Upfield's try.
The backrower did everything possible to try and will his side home and his performance alone deserves more than just a bonus point.
3. ENTERTAINERS
The Reds left it late but produced one of the tries of Super Rugby Pacific 2023.
Wilson’s brilliant run and dummy set the platform before the work of James O’Connor to somehow stay in and offload to Tate McDermott was miraculous.
Quick hands from McDermott, Flook and Grealy found Jake Upfield as the unlikeliest of try-scorers to cap off a great start.
It was led by O’Connor, who dismantled the Highlanders’ defence to put Wright over the line for the opener. He has a calming presence which they missed in the final 20 minutes.
4. WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS
Brad Thorn must be wondering what mirror he broke on his way to Dunedin.
It started with co-captain Liam Wright dislocating his shoulder in the process of scoring. Wright has been the unsung hero of the Reds’ late-season push and had emerged as a potential Wallabies bolter before the setback.
Wright was followed off by Conor Vest shortly afterwards after a nasty head knock left the lock dazed.
To compound the misery, Tate McDermott was forced from the field and didn’t return after failing a HIA, leading to third-choice captain Fraser McReight taking the captain’s armband.
Former All Black and Reds assistant Kane Hames summed up the frustrations with a massive sigh as he trudged away from the half-time interview.
5. KING FREDDIE
Freddie Burns stepped up for the Highlanders to keep their finals hopes alive.
Burns is another of the small bunch of late English arrivals to Super Rugby that have made a major impact.
He set up Jona Nareki in the first half before his strong carry and ability to get the ball away allowed for Connor Garden-Bachop to stretch out.
Burns even turned the table to get a key pilfer off Fraser McReight with ten minutes to go.
