Don't blame Colin Slade's awful luck, a rookie referee, a tricky venue or the absence of talisman Adam Thomson.
All Highlanders fans could do after seeing their team beaten for the first time this season was shrug their shoulders and accept you simply can't win them all.
It was a fifth consecutive game decided by seven points or less for the Highlanders, but the first time this season they had to watch another team celebrate at the final whistle.
There was no miracle comeback, this time. No goal-kicking hero. No late try in the corner.
They call it "rub of the green" - and it simply wasn't in the Highlanders' favour in Canberra on Saturday night, even if they were wearing that colour.
From Slade's devastating injury, to two first-half turnovers that led to Brumbies tries, to the unexpected emergence of an Australian Richie McCaw called Michael Hooper, to an awful early tackle call that handed the home team three points, it was not the Highlanders' night.
And that is fine. Few professional competitions are won by unbeaten teams, and it is not time to panic.
As long as the Highlanders bounce straight back with a better performance against the Rebels in Invercargill, there will be hardly a dent in the franchise's rebuilt confidence.
The Highlanders' greatest strength turned into their biggest weakness in Canberra.
Having lorded the breakdown in each of their first four games, they struck an opponent at its absolute peak in that contentious area.
With Thomson and the equally in-form John Hardie sidelined, the Highlanders had no answer to the marauding Brumbies, led by rising openside flanker Hooper and captain Ben Mowen.
"The Brumbies were very quick around the breakdown.
They got a lot of turnovers, which is something we pride on doing ourselves," Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said yesterday.
"They were very committed and passionate and willing. They'll tip over a few teams.
"But we didn't give up. We showed a bit of composure to claw our way back into the game.
"I'm pretty proud of the guys. It's just that the Brumbies took their opportunities well, and we didn't take ours."
The Highlanders' scrum was a little messy, and the lineout operated far less efficiently without Thomson in it.
But the most concerning aspect of the performance was the defence, or specifically the lack of organisation in patches that allowed the Brumbies to cut loose.
There were certainly bright spots for the Highlanders. Hooker Andrew Hore continued his remarkable, rampaging run of form; halfback Aaron Smith had another belter; Shaun Treeby made a promising return from injury, and James Haskell showed flashes of his ability.
The Highlanders made a shocking start, conceding an intercept try to winger Joseph Tomane from a poor Tamati Ellison pass after just four minutes.
Tomane had a second 10 minutes later, from another turnover, and the signs were ominous.
The Highlanders scored a nice try shortly before half-time, when a sweet Hosea Gear break set up Smith.
Kicks were traded before the Highlanders got their second try, with Treeby scampering to his feet after an incomplete tackle and sprinting to the line, and it was 26-26 with 20 minutes to play.
The Brumbies then struck the killer blow when Hooper - very much a player to watch - scored the home side's third try.
Super 15
The scores
• Brumbies: 33
Joseph Tomane 2, Michael Hooper tries; Christian Lealiifano 3 con, 4 pen
• Highlanders: 26
Aaron Smith, Shaun Treeby tries; Colin Slade 2 con, 2 pen, drop goal, Chris Noakes penHalftime: Brumbies 20-13.