As if their season could get any worse, defending Super Rugby Pacific champions Crusaders are now at the foot of the competition, after a bewildering 37-15 defeat by Western Force in a bottom-of-the-table contest at Perth.
After scoring the opening try, the titleholders conceded the next 19 points and were their own worst enemies, through their inability to finish off ample opportunities.
They closed within a converted try late in the game and seemed poised for a strong finish, but leaked the last 15 points to forfeit even a losing bonus point.
Their seventh loss in eight games this season leaves them facing a steep uphill climb to make the quarter-finals from where they sit.
"To be interested, I'm not interested in the ladder," claimed captain Tom Christie. "We start winning games, we'll put ourselves in a position.
"Yes, it's unique... no team has ever done it from here, but I've still got full faith and full trust in our team that, when we get it right, we're a dangerous team.
"We've just got to get it right more often and give ourselves a chance."
The Crusaders struck in the opening two minutes last week against NSW Waratahs, but needed a couple of minutes more this time, with first-five Riley Hohepa delaying a deft pass to fullback Chay Fihaki, winger Sevu Reece making ground into the 22 and finding centre Levi Aumua, who powered over for a try.
The home side responded with a penalty and then took the lead, when they sent the ball left to former Chiefs/Hurricanes winger Chase Tiatia, who crossed in the corner.
Already suffering from a long injury list, the Crusaders added another casualty to the bodycount, when second-five Dallas McLeod left, clutching his ribs.
The Force lost flanker Carlo Tizzano at breakdown near his own line, but the Crusaders lineout - such an Achilles heel this season - let them down again and they could not capitalise.
In fact, the visitors could not add to their tally with their numbers advantage and soon after Tizzano returned to the action, Crusaders halfback Mitch Drummond was guilty of a high tackle inside his own 22 and hooker Tom Horton scored from a lineout maul.
The Kiwis had dominated the first-half stats, asking their rivals to make more than twice as many tackles, but could not finish off their attacks.
Trailing 16-5 at the break, they were immediately on the backfoot in the second half, when Hohepa kicked into touch on the full and another lineout hiccup gifted Force first-five Ben Donaldson another three points.
The Crusaders gained some momentum from a midfield scrum, with Reece kicking ahead and finding touch near the tryline, but the play was inexplicably brought back 40 metres for a collapsed scrum and Crusaders penalty.
Luckily, replacement hooker George Bell charged down the left touchline to score in the corner, although replays cast some doubt over the grounding.
Donaldson wiped out most of that impetus with another penalty, but the Crusaders kept the ball in hand to put Reece over in the right corner, bumping off marker Tiatia in the process.
Neither Hohepa nor Fihaki could find the posts from the kicking tee, but at least their side were now within a converted try with 20 minutes remaining.
Moments later, as coach Rob Penney subbed off his most damaging runner - Aumua - Donaldson slotted another penalty to put the Force clear again. The home side then stole another attacking lineout throw on their own goal-line to avert danger.
The Crusaders continued to surge forward, but when Dom Gardiner spilled the ball within sight of the tryline, Donaldson kicked downfield and winger Macca Springer was swamped by chasers.
From the lineout, lock Sam Carter delivered a knockout blow for the Force, extending their advantage to 15 points with only five minutes left. They weren't done though, driving over from another attacking lineout, initially given as a penalty try, but ultimately awarded to Tizzano.
The Force have a chance to edge another spot up the table next week, when they visit a Highlanders outfit riding four straight losses, most recently 31-0 to Queensland Reds.
The Crusaders host the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
Western Force 37 (Tiatia, Horton, Carter & Tizzano tries; Donaldson 5 penalties & conversion) Crusaders 15 (Aumua, Bell, Reece tries)
