Australian rugby fans had cause to feel a sense of Bledisloe optimism ahead of the 2016 season, but another poor round of Super Rugby performances suggests the 14-year black haze will continue for another year.
While the Chiefs put paid to the Brumbies' title favouritism on Saturday night, and the Highlanders came from behind to edge the Force, the bumbling Waratahs perhaps best highlighted the gulf in skill dividing the Tasman as they fell to a first ever home loss to the Rebels.
And that's to take nothing away from a Melbourne side who did the basics far better than their opponents, and were well led by tireless skipper Sean McMahon and the cool head of fly-half Jack Debreczeni.
But the truth of the matter is that the Rebels were rarely forced into any defensive stress by the Waratahs as time and time again the 2014 champions coughed up possession in the simplest of circumstances.
And what must be of grave concern for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is that several starting spots are up for grabs against England in June but few players are making a case --none a compelling one -- to step into the vacancies from last year's Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand, and the Chiefs in particular, have any number of applicants looking to replace the likes of All Blacks greats Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith. No wonder coach Steve Hansen is considering extending his tenure, and period of Wallabies torture, through to the next World Cup.
It is a situation highlighted by the superb return from injury of Aaron Cruden, and the amazingly rapid development of Damian McKenzie.
Cruden was at his sharp-stepping best against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night, when he cut the two-time champions open; before a delightful left-foot cross kick provided James Lowe with the try of the match.
Cruden's ability to assess the situation, and position the ball perfectly for Lowe with his less-favoured foot, without breaking stride, was something to behold.
McKenzie's injection into the line with pace and guile was equally impressive while his willingness to work hard in support and secure multiple touches in the one movement is a testament to his place at the top of the try-scoring charts.
He showed signs of his supreme talent during last year's Super Rugby season, while his goal-kicking grin, the story of which he first revealed to ESPN, is coinciding with a growing cult hero status.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs fullback's path to the All Blacks is blocked by Ben Smith. Hansen will surely be tempted to see him in action against Wales at some point, however, particularly since he is handling the goal-kicking for Dave Rennie's side ahead of Cruden.
They're pleasant headaches to have, but the sort far from Cheika's radar.
What must surely be alarming the Wallabies coach is the rate of basic errors made by each of the Australian franchises, particularly at the Waratahs and Reds.
And when the top New Zealand side, the Chiefs, were able to take their game to the next level in Canberra, the Brumbies, supposedly Australia's premier side, failed to go with them.
And that was in no small measure thanks to the work of back-rowers of Sam Cane, Michael Leitch and Tom Sanders; the Chiefs trio dominating the Brumbies' in their supposed area of the strength: the breakdown.
The Wallabies were devastating in that area at last year's Rugby World Cup, with David Pocock and Scott Fardy combining with Michael Hooper for a persistent threat.
What the Chiefs were able to achieve against Pocock and Fardy in Canberra shows it may not be a big as big a strength for the Wallabies against England come June.
And for now, anything other than normal Bledisloe service resuming in August, appears fanciful.
The gulf in skill remains as wide as ever.