The Highlanders followed a recent theme by delivering some patches of quality performance but failing in key areas as they were beaten 34-27 by the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.
A late try at least secured a bonus losing point, something they have managed in all four of their losses this season.
There is no lack of fight or heart in the Highlanders. And when they fire, they are capable of setting the field alight.
But they are struggling for consistency, being hurt by basic errors, and developing a worrying inability to set a stable scrum without having the referee rush to his whistle.
"I think our players played really good rugby"Joseph said.
"Just too many errors, really. A lot of unforced errors put a lot of pressure on the team.
"What I’m proud about is the way we defended and the way we got ourselves back into the game. Down at halftime, worked our way back, and put ourselves in a winning position.
"As a coach, I’m pretty proud of my guys."
The Highlanders played more exciting rugby than the Brumbies, chalking up 626m gained to the Australians’ 313m.
But they also conceded 17 turnovers — the Brumbies had 12 — and lamented two restarts that went out on the full, a couple of missed kicks to touch, and some spilled ball at vital times.
"These games are tight, you know. We’ve lost a couple of games by one or two points," Joseph said.
"The focus for the players is they’ve got to execute those skill things.
"But we played well together. We attacked together, we defended together, we were still coming right at the end of the game. Those are the kind of attributes you love as a coach."
Any coach also loves to see someone like Caleb Tangitau in action.
The ex-Blues winger confirmed his status as a rising star of Super Rugby with two tries, his fifth and sixth in his first season with the Highlanders.
Fellow winger Jona Nareki rolled back the years with an equally impressive display.
Nareki had a team-high 155m on 12 carries, and beat 10 defenders.
Up front, Veveni Lasaqa was into everything and star lock Fabian Holland had another immense performance, but the Highlanders lacked punch at times in the pack, and have some scrum issues to address.
After the Brumbies lost winger Corey Toole to a yellow card within seconds, the Highlanders scored the opening try through Tangitau, but the Brumbies were up 15-5 at the break as they dominated possession.
Halfback Nathan Hastie got the Highlanders back into the game with two try assists, laying on scores for Sam Gilbert and Nareki, and the visitors led by two points with 10 minutes to play.
Yet more scrum issues led to a try to Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead, and the Brumbies appeared to seal victory with a show of patience that led to a try to centre Len Ikitau.
Tangitau gave them a heck of a fright with a chip-and-chase score, and the Highlanders tried their best deep into stoppage time to snaffle a draw.
Joseph’s men now get a couple of days off in Canberra before heading to Perth to play the Force, who were beaten 28-24 by the table-topping Reds on Saturday.
It could be a seismic game for the playoff race, even this early in the season, as the Highlanders have dropped to eighth, three points behind the Force, who hold the sixth and final playoff spot.
Elsewhere, Super Rugby Pacific delivered another spectacular result as Moana Pasifika charged into Christchurch and smashed the Crusaders 45-29 on Saturday.
Super Rugby
The scores
Brumbies 34
Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau tries; Noah Lolesio con, pen, Jack Debreczeni 2 con
Highlanders 27
Caleb Tangitau 2, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki tries; Gilbert 2 con, pen
Halftime: Brumbies 15-5.
