"Complacency" is an ugly word in rugby circles but Wanganui rep coach Jason Caskey wasn't beating about the bush after seeing his team lose a 10-point lead and succumb to a fired-up Mid Canterbury team.
"We got what we deserved - nothing," said Caskey of Saturday's 26-23 loss at Spriggens Park. "The guys just didn't front up - we were complacent.
"I'd been warning them all week that two wins on the road doesn't mean it's going to be easy."
Those wins away at South Canterbury and Thames Valley are now cast in the shadow of a rare home defeat which has dented the Butchers Boys' Meads Cup prospects.
Caskey now has the task of re-focusing his team for a difficult trip to Gisborne where Poverty Bay lie in wait.
Mid Canterbury manager Jim Henderson was delighted with his side.