The RaboDirect Rebels took to Sydney for their first away match of the season against the Waratahs, looking to record their first ever victory over their biggest rivals and for the first time get their hands on the Weary Dunlop Shield.
But despite heading into the half-time break with a 10 point lead which still flattered the hosts, it was more of the same from the Rebels as they replicated their poor second half from last week and went down 31-26 in the end.
The Waratahs didn't take long to get on the scoreboard, with Brendan McKibbin able to give them a 3-0 lead in just the fourth minute as he knocked over a penalty from right in front. Fortunately, James O'Connor was able to restore parity just three minutes later.
It was an error-riddled opening from both sides with plenty of dropped ball, but the Rebels came closest to the crossing the line with Scott Higginbotham intercepting an errant pass and being dragged down after a solid sprint. O'Connor was able to put the visitors in front with another penalty, and after the first quarter of the match it was the Rebels 6-3.
The Rebels had the lion's share of possession, with Rory Sidey and Ged Robinson looking assured in possession and working hard to back up their teammates in support. Constant infringements led to Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau receiving a yellow card, and Rebels' vice-captain for the evening, Ged Robinson, capitalised by getting over the line for his second try of the year. O'Connor kicked truly and the Rebels, having held 67% of possession, deservedly led 13-3 after 28 minutes.
McKibbin was able to reduce the deficit when he slotted his second kick of the night on the half hour mark, but the Rebels were dominating the game and reducing every Waratahs attacking movement to a mere couple of phases before forcing errors or turnovers.
O'Connor restored the ten point advantage, as the Rebels looked to hold that lead until the break. Nick Phipps broke the line and released a rampaging Richard Kingi, but convert Israel Folau managed to bring him down, and the Waratahs counter-attacked and won themselves a penalty - McKibbin was unable to add the points, and it was 16-6 to the visitors at half time.
Following the resumption, the Rebels picked up where they left off and again piled on the pressure. Luke Jones just failed to release Lachlan Mitchell out wide, but then it was the Waratahs who began to pile on the pressure for the first time in the game.
Laurie Weeks was sent to the bin as the Waratahs began to shuffle their pack, with Ben Volavola and Paddy Ryan joining the fray. And while the Rebels were able to subdue their opponents through sustained pressure, just one minute before the big prop was to re-join the game Folau offloaded for Bernard Foley to touch down across the dotted line, and with an easy kick in front McKibbin made it sixteen points apiece.
Volavola galvanised the Waratahs offensively as they showed more inventiveness than at any stage previously, and flanker Michael Hooper scored his first try for his new side following a great offload from Israel Folau, which was converted.
The Rebels were determined not to fade away as they did in Round Two against the Brumbies, and took advantage of the Waratahs being offside at the ruck to reduce the deficit back to four points .
It was end to end stuff, with Hooper and Benn Robinson working in tandem to win a penalty which McKibbin drilled from a long way out, straight in front. That was his final involvement, a calf injury forcing him from the field following a successful night with the boot, slotting six from seven.
The Rebels were unable to get their hands on the ball when it really counted, as the clock kept ticking and the chances of an upset looked less and less likely.
A clever chip from Drew Mitchell put the Rebels under the pump just five metres from their own line, and Shota Horie wasn't quick enough to get the throw in. From the resultant turnover, the Waratahs got over for their third try to replacement prop Ryan, his first in Super Rugby.
And time eventually ran out for the Rebels. Kurtley Beale managed to score his first try of the season beside the posts right at the death to secure a bonus point for the Rebels, but ultimately a lack of conviction in defence during the second half cost the Rebels a golden opportunity to get their hands on the Weary Dunlop Trophy for the first time.
The Waratahs picked up their first win of season 2013, and leapt to a 5-0 head to head record against the Rebels, who must now regroup as they head home to Melbourne to host 2011 Super Rugby champion Queensland Reds.
There were some positives for the Rebels, with the scrum managing to more than hold their own for the second week running against a Wallaby-strength front row.
Higginbotham had his best game yet in a Rebels jersey, admirably filling in for injured skipper Gareth Delve at number 8, while O'Connor and Beale threw plenty of clever balls and looked to break the line themselves.
But ultimately, it will be viewed as points lost, and a bitterly disappointed Rebels team must re-group quickly if they are to get their season back on track.
Pete Fairbairn is the Senior Rebels Writer and was watching the Waratahs host the Rebels in Round 3 of the 2013 Super Rugby season.
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