The Brumbies ticked off their first win in a critical six-week block for the club with a 47-14 over the Sunwolves.
Holding a 14-point lead at half-time, the Brumbies piled on the points in a four-try-to-one second term.
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa spoke earlier in the week about the importance of this game and the proceeding five matches in solidifying the Brumbies' overall prospects.
In that sense, a bonus-point win over the Sunwolves was the perfect way for the Brumbies to start this block.
"I think we’re building momentum nicely, have a few days off and reset, knowing we've got an important six-week block ahead of us," he said.
"Today was the first game within that block, nice to have a longer turnaround, it was pretty physical out there for the boys and good to get an extra couple of days and just get some time to spend with family again before we get stuck into it on Monday and prepare for the old enemy (the Waratahs)."
Lonergan's performance at halfback was one in a number of positions that showed the Brumbies' wealth of options.
Their front row depth is well-known but the Brumbies have also reshuffled their combinations in the back row and in their backline with injuries and illness this year.
It's an element of the game McKellar said was a major focus for them in trying to prove themselves
"I think in particular in the forwards, you look at the guys like Murray Douglas, Cadeyrn Neville, Will Miller, Tommy Cusack, McCaffrey's a bit crook so we didn't risk him today and then Jahrome Brown hasn't played a game yet but he'll be back and hopefully will get some time with his club next week," he said.
"Wingers, the outside backs and obviously our young tens have all stood up. I think guys are just doing their job well.
"You've got to have depth across the board in this competition, the best teams have shown that.
"The Crusaders have shown, they're two or three all Blacks deep in the past, so we're pleased, we've got a good group of footballers, we've got confidence in every one of them."
A 33-point win earned them a bonus point, moving them further ahead of their Australian rivals with the Waratahs, Rebels and Reds still to play this weekend.
That victory gives them a 10-point buffer over the second-placed Rebels in the Australian conference, and temporarily on top of the overall Super Rugby log.
It was a regulation win for the Brumbies in the end but the ACT were tested at times by a gritty Sunwolves side desperate to make an impact.
Halfback Ryan Lonergan was the standout in his starting debut, bringing plenty of zip in his recycle and scoring a try for his efforts as well in a 55-minute stint.
A five-from-five goal kicking effort from Lonergan also showed an asset he has that Australian rugby across the board is looking for.
"he kicked well, he’s a quality goal kicker and it’s something that is a real string to his bow," McKellar said.
"I thought he played well, directed us around nicely, Noah was the same. We were really clinical early on, got to 14-nil and then just possession and territory was in their favour, defended well,
"We conceded our first maul try in two years, which we won't be happy about but we'll sort that out."
The Brumbies outmuscled the Sunwolves in their backline with centres Irae Simone and Tevita Kuridrani making their mark felt and winger Solomone Kata having close to his best Super Rugby game.
They were more tested in the pack, particularly when parked in their own territory at times, but that didn’t last long.
The Brumbies had much of the early attacking possession but that was snuffed out with a knock-on.
Eventually their weight of possession paid off, with a Toni Pulu break putting Rob Valetini in the perfect position to offload to Ryan Lonergan to score in the 10th minute.
Skill errors from the Sunwolves opened more opportunities for the Brumbies to mount attacking charges from anywhere across the field.
A quick spread from a lineout put the Brumbies in a dangerous attacking position and they quickly made the most of it
Lonergan sent a rapid fire pass into Cadeyrn Neville’s hands, just as Will Miller was powering through the line to collect the offload and crash over the line
The Sunwolves began to turn the tables somewhat as the first half ticked on, attempting to use the driving maul for a score but the Brumbies’ defence held firm.
A series of penalties, though, gave the Sunwolves their own chances to score and the Japanese outfit continued to look for rewards from their maul.
It was through the maul that the Sunwolves found their first points, eventually converting some patience into a try for hooker Efi Ma’afu.
Just as it seemed the Japanese outfit might be building some momentum, Pete Samu won a lineout against the Sunwolves throw and put the Brumbies on the attack again.
A Ben Te’o mistake gave the Brumbies a turnover and one last chance to attack, which they duly did as a slick attacking chain put Rob Valetini into open space on the left edge.
Though the final pass was dubious, the score was awarded and the Brumbies maintained that 14-point gap.
The Brumbies looked like scoring shortly after half-time when Pete Samu was left alone on the wing but a desperate JJ Engelbrecht tackle prevented that score.
They went to that left side again in the 46th minute and Toni Pulu stepped inside and crashed over the line with a pack of Sunwolves hanging off him.
On review, Pulu had clearly placed the ball down and nabbed the Brumbies’ fourth of the afternoon.
Though his score came off, Pulu was forced off with a shoulder issue immediately after.
Tevita Kuridrani crashed over for the Brumbies’ fifth as they began to really take control of proceedings.
Just two minutes late, a sensational Solomone Kata put-down in the corner finished off a Brumbies attacking move.
The Sunwolves continued to fight and Brisbane-born lock Michael Stolberg carried the ball over the in the 73rd minute to narrow the gap.
There was enough time for the Brumbies to ice the game with a last-gasp Joe Powell score.
The Brumbies have an eight-day break before hosting the Waratahs in Canberra next weekend while the Sunwolves take on the Crusaders in Brisbane.
RESULT
Sunwolves 14
Tries: Ma’afu, Stolberg
Cons: April, Ogura
Brumbies 47
Tries: Lonergan, Miller, Valetini, Pulu, Kuridrani, Kata, Powell
Cons: Lonergan 5, Lolesio
