The NSW Waratahs are calling for patience after enduring another "story of the season" loss that has almost certainly cruelled their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes for a fourth straight year.
Coach Dan McKellar rued his side failing to convert any of seven first-half try-scoring opportunities in a 21-14 defeat to the Brumbies in Sydney on Friday night.
The Tahs staged a late fightback but ultimately paid the price for trailing 21-0 though 60 minutes of the do-or-die match.
Now needing a mathematical miracle to scrape into the finals, Australian rugby's great under-achievers are resigned to missing the play-offs.
"We want to be playing at the back end of the season and we're not, so it's a pretty easy answer - we're disappointed," McKellar said.
