You'd have been hard pressed to tell Crusaders' Scott Robertson was a coach whose undefeated side had just recorded a 29-21 win over the Western Force in Christchurch on Friday.
Despite registering their fourth victory in as many Super Rugby Trans-Tasman contests, the Crusaders were cruelly denied a critical bonus point courtesy of a try in the dying stages to Force substitute Jordan Olowofela.
Robertson realises just how costly that missed opportunity may be, as they try to separate themselves from the pack of four undefeated Kiwi teams entering the final week of the competition.
"That could be the comp," Robertson says. "Pretty quickly, it can change.
"A little bit out of our hands now. We'll be watching, just like everyone else."
The manner of that final try will also sting, as - after a sustained period of tryline pressure from the Crusaders - the Force nabbed a turnover and found acres of unprotected space with a deep kick for Olowofela to take advantage of.
"We were calling from the box, get back there Joshy [McKay], or whoever it was," Robertson recalls.
"Just get back there and cover the back field. They just saw space and took it.
"We defended so doggedly for long periods of time and then that quick turnover and bang, that was it.
"It was a great turnover and obviously they stayed in the fight. But we could've been better with our game management."
A bonus-point win for the Hurricanes over the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night would lift them atop the table to join the Blues in pole position for the final.
The Blues were also unable to win a bonus point in their 31-24 win over the Reds in Brisbane.
"We knew it was going to be a points race just as much as a normal competition," Robertson notes. "It's not top four, it's top two, and it's just how many you can mount up.
"We'll see. There's plenty more action ahead and it makes it more interesting doesn't it?"
The Crusaders and their fans will now be crossing their fingers that the Force can bounce back to get the better of the Blues in next weekend's final round, or the Brumbies or Reds can topple the Hurricanes.
"They're good quality teams and anything can happen on the night, but we just would've liked to have kept it in our hands," says Robertson.
Friday's display was uncharacteristically disjointed by the Super Rugby Aotearoa champions, as they struggled to find continuity on the pitch.
"The boys will be disappointed," Robertson admits. "We were here to do one job, to get the win plus the bonus.
"It wasn't our finest performance. We wanted to be really disciplined and we weren't in a lot of areas.
"Well done to the Force. They came here and put some effort in and showed what it takes to put us under pressure."
The Crusaders will now look to assure a bonus point in their clash with the struggling Rebels next Saturday.
Join us at 7pm Saturday for the Highlanders v Waratahs Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash
