There is now no question the Highlanders are a side of promise, but that can only get you so far in the Super 14.
Their Australian mini-tour ended with a narrow loss to the Brumbies, and another show of fight and endeavour that was also blighted by mistakes and misdirection.
To return from two games against beatable opposition with just bonus points for close losses will be more than a little galling, and it will be cause for frustration that poor goal-kicking and dubious officiating (again) contributed to the latest defeat.
To some, it is unfair to single out the goal-kicker but the fact remains fullback James Wilson had the chance to win the game for the Highlanders in the dying minutes and his penalty attempt from a handy position was poor.
At least kicking can be practised. There is very little that can be done about the officials, and it seems the Highlanders are in a cursed run of luck.
To feel the rough end of two dubious try decisions in the first week was bad enough. To be hit by another on Saturday night was a heavy body blow to a young side finding its feet.
In the first leg of a double whammy, Highlanders lock Hayden Triggs was yellow-carded for an innocuous ‘‘high'' tackle on hooker Huia Edmonds late in the first half.
Assistant referee James Scholtens then advised referee Craig Joubert to award a penalty try.
The Highlanders started with a bit more oomph than they had against the Reds, with the forward pack in particular hoeing into its work with a series of pick-and-go drives.
Discipline was an issue. The Highlanders felt the shrill blast of Joubert's whistle too often in the first half, in particular, to turn their promising forays into points.
And there is no excuse for the sheer dumbness of throwing the ball away, which twice caused the Highlanders to be marched.
When it all came together, there was much to admire about the Highlanders' effort.
No 8 Steven Setephano, in doubt all week because of a dodgy knee, had a massive night, all power and purpose from the back.
It was a night of redemption for rookie first five-eighth Daniel Bowden, who struggled mightily on debut against the Reds but bounced back to show signs of his creative ability and maturity.
Bowden was Evans-like in his lightstepping break and inside pass that set winger Fetu'u Vainikolo to the line for the opening try after just 4min.
Vainikolo, shaping as a genuine star of this competition, made a scintillating break about 70min later and, but for an ankle-tap by Stephen Hoiles, might well have scored a game-winning try.
Paul Williams played with intelligence on the other wing and centre Niva Ta'auso displayed his strong running and physical defence.
Prop Jamie Mackintosh was also prominent. When he adds ball security to strong forward rushes, he is more than just a lump.
Set phases are clearly a work in progress for the Highlanders. The scrum is developing but it is concerning they are more accurate chasing the opposition's line-out ball than securing their own.
Their conditioning is obviously first rate, as indicated by the fact they were playing in warmer climes and in both games finished stronger to win the second half.
Now the Highlanders must be more disciplined and more patient, and most important of all, they need to treasure the ball.
They are fighting hard, and they are getting better. They just need to win a game to really get this season going.
