For much of the All Blacks-Ireland second test, the script was as expected - fired up Irish take early lead, All Blacks take control and work way back into game through penalties for illegal defensive tactics, then hit front early in the second half and ...
But that's as far as predictable went. There was no easing away to an expected comfortable victory. Expected because of the quality of the home team at Eden Park the previous weekend.
Why? Most are crediting the fighting Irish, and there's no doubt they were several steps up in intensity, particularly bruising.
The freezing cold weather has also been factored in. And it certainly provided a different set of circumstances from the weekend prior.
It was, however, mostly about a drop in the home team's standards leading to another welcome to the reality of test rugby - that for every action there is a reaction. If your actions are faulty, a good opposition will profit.
Example: The All Blacks had done well to lead 16-10 early in the second half. The stage was set for a hammer blow.
Action: From the kickoff that followed Aaron Smith's converted try, captain Richie McCaw spilled a pass as first-up runner.
Reaction: A penalty to Ireland soon followed, and the Irish had scored for the first time since leading 10-0. They were back in the game.
McCaw compounded his error by then taking out Gordon D'Arcy from the kick-off, an incident which has largely been ignored.
It was a serious drop in standards by our most senior player.
The result, other than pain for D'Arcy, was that the developing flow of the All Black game began to suffer serious ebb.
While Daniel Carter extended the lead with his fourth penalty goal on the 60 minute mark, McCaw then dropped the kick-off. Ireland soon narrowed the gap with a penalty.
Another knock-on by the All Black skipper, an Irish breakout, a middling clearance, a good Irish lineout, ill-discipline by Ali Williams, enter Jonathan Sexton - all tied up.
Action and reaction. Test rugby in its purest form - no nod to Steinlager intended.
The All Blacks were by now a rabble. Allied to ill-discipline and handling errors, was a scrum that had deteriorated alarmingly following three forward substitutions, and a defensive line which suddenly allowed the Irish countless easy metres.
Then Israel Dagg did a "McCaw" on Rob Kearney, and the last 10 minutes was 14 against 15.
As Sexton lined up the resulting long range penalty goal thoughts of Dan Carter missing from a similar distance in the first half came. Sexton fell short. Poor decision making by the visitors? Only a maybe.
For nobody was now betting against the Irish beating the All Blacks for the first time, that is until the fourth leaf of the clover - luck - deserted them.
First an Irish knock-on halted another assault, and then the All Blacks received a fortuitous scrum penalty to begin their final drive home to victory.
They took advantage of more good luck, a fingertip on an awry right-footed Carter dropped goal attempt (caused by referee Nigel Owens getting in between Piri Weepu and his first-five) leading to a 5m scrum from which he eventually made no mistake with his preferred left foot.
And the reaction. McCaw caught the kick-off. Hurrah. Victory was sealed.
It could be said that the positives were few for the All Blacks.
But isn't test rugby ultimately about winning, even if it is winning ugly. Coach Steve Hansen rightly pointed that it was an infinitely superior result when compared to another time when we didn't win a test by not taking a dropped goal option - World Cup, quarter-final, v France, 2007.
As well an interesting newcomer in flanker Sam Cane was blooded, young lock Brodie Retallick stepped forward a notch, Carter's goalkicking continues to be superb, Julian Savea's work-ons were exposed before the Rugby Championship, and the All Blacks came through a true test, inclusive of referee foibles.
It's interesting that Nigel Owens was quick with the physical penalties - think McCaw and Dagg - yet slow to move on Ireland's negativity around the breakdown when under pressure in the first half. Did frustration with the latter, influence the former? Possibly. Three All Black penalty goals but do you remember a warning for the men in green?
The physical confrontation of test rugby has already removed Victor Vito and Ali Williams from the test squad, and champion No 8 Kieran Read is also in doubt for the final test in Hamilton.
That's the way it is in test rugby. The show goes on regardless.
During preparation this week there will be soul searching, recognition that test wins don't come easy, and much attention paid to detail like accuracy.
Which leads me to predict Ireland will still be scratching their heads and asking why their best effort came up short as they board the plane after the third test at Waikato Stadium.