It happened last week, says Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon, and he is damned sure it will not happen again.
Dixon said the 31-31 draw with the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium last week was tough to take but the side only had to look at itself, how it let go of a winning position.
''It was everything, really - execution, not getting in the right place. And just outpassioned. The Chiefs really outpassioned us, which is quite heartbreaking for us,'' he said.
''We are a team that believes in that. The Chiefs just wanted it more than us. They had guys who were prepared to work hard. Coming off the bench they had loosies in their second row.
''I think that is something you can't coach. It comes from within and comes from people and each other. It was addressed and the boys were pretty gutted about it. They just wanted it more than us, to be honest, and we just didn't quite do it.''
He said the players coming off the bench, of which he was one, did not quite get their roles right
''We missed a bit of detail in set plays in what we were supposed to do. We gassed ourselves a bit and by the end we were all a bit tired and did not quite finish off.
''I think through the game our defence was sort of fading away. Maybe if we played at the right end of the field, things might have come out a different way. But it is easier to look back at things in hindsight. If we nailed things a bit better, we would have come out a bit better.''
Dixon said he was used to coming on as a replacement and it was about doing everything right and making it count.
With the side now putting the New Zealand derbies behind it, the challenge of taking on the Jaguares and then three South African sides awaits.
''I guess moving into the land of the giants where the guys are a bit bigger we have to change our tactics a bit. We have not played a South African or Argentinian side so far this year so we have to change our mindset and the way we play the game. The little things we have to change and the subtleties in the way we play the game.''
The Highlanders are bound to look to play the game at pace and run the big Jaguares forwards around on Saturday at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Dixon was now playing second fiddle behind an outstanding Liam Coltman, who is having one of his best seasons.
''Colty - he is playing outstanding. I'm stoked with the lad. He is an awesome fella and playing so well.''