A concussed Jason Nightingale was also beating himself up after a dubious tackle by Jamal Idris ultimately contributed to the Kangaroos newcomer's try on debut during last night's Anzac test.
Idris turned from potential villain to hero when his touchdown confirmed an Australian victory, a 20-10 triumph which retained the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy and guaranteed Darren Lockyer's final test appearance on Queensland soil at Skilled Park was a memorable occasion for the Kangaroos captain.
Nightingale's recollections were not as vivid after a collision with Idris left him somersaulting to the turf in the 67th minute - an incident that left him dazed and unable to maintain possession when launching out of dummy half five minutes later.
Cameron Smith quickly transferred the ball to the rampaging Idris who surged across the line despite the combined defensive efforts of Matt Duffie, Lance Hohaia and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
It was a cruel twist of fate that Nightingale should prove the catalyst for the Idris try given he was taken out of play when leaping to field a Jonathan Thurston cross kick.
Had the incident occurred in the National Rugby League (NRL) the Bulldogs utility would have been placed on report and reviewed.
English referee Richard Silverwood settled for a reprimand and awarded the Kiwis a penalty - the second and final of a game where the match official kept a low profile.
Silverwood's sanctions were deemed appropriate with no further action being taken against Idris after the game although Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney described the tackle as "pretty dangerous".
Kiwis captain Benji Marshal offered Idris the benefit of the doubt saying: "I don't think Jamal's the kind of player to do it on purpose."
Idris said he regretted the mistimed collision.
"It was an accident and as soon as he got up I was glad he was alright."
Unfortunately Nightingale was actually far from steady when he regained his footing.
"I'm not alright at the moment," he said in the Kiwis dressing room after being diagnosed with a mild concussion.
"I had some balance issues and some blurred vision out there. I was a passenger obviously."
Nightingale, who is in now doubt for St George Illawarra's clash with North Queensland tomorrow, said he could not remember much of the incident, did not realise Idris was responsible until after the game and had no comment on whether the on-field penalty was sufficient.
However, he did lament the handling mistake which lead to Idris's try.
"I thought I was sweet but making that error ". maybe I should have gone off. I let down the team," he said.
NZPA