It was all one-way traffic in Canberra as the Brumbies took a sword to the Waratahs, but what did we learn?
1. Records tumble
The statisticians were scratching through the annals of Australian Rugby history to find a more comprehensive victory, after the Brumbies 51-point win. Just let that settle in. 61 points scored. Nine tries to one. And all after the Waratahs opened the scoring through the boot of Will Harrison.
2. Wallabies watch
The lame criticism of Australian Rugby goes that if you wear Waratahs blue, then you're on your way to Wallaby Gold. Well, let's put a fullstop on that once and for all. It's more likely now that if you're wearing the blue and white in Canberra, you're a shoe-in for a Wallaby nod. Next in line has to be Cadeyrn Neville. He was immense yet again, tearing down mauls and a target in the Brumbies attacking line out. Len Ikitau is the real deal too. We have heard the hype - but his quick feet, great hands and physicality must have Dave Rennie salivating. Add in the nice grubber behind for Mack Hansen too. Speaking of Mack, he may be close to a national call-up too. He was right place at the right time for a couple of his efforts but sometimes that's skill - not luck.
3. More of Moeroa
It was a tough watch for Waratahs fans but there's a couple of players who held their heads high. Tepai Moeroa was one of them - the Waratahs attack just kept coming through the big number 12. And while he juggled a few, and spilt some others, the Brumbies were always worried about his hulking presence. Another valiant effort from Carlo Tizzano too. The Waratahs flanker has stepped into the huge shoes of Michael Hooper and seems like he has a similar engine.
4. Battle of the tens
No doubt that Noah Lolesio had the happier of nights in Canberra. He scored a try (back of a rolling maul too by the way!) and was guiding his team with aplomb. But Will Harrison showed that the fight for the Wallabies number 10 jersey isn't a foregone conclusion. These two are going to be going at it for the next 10 years and Australian Rugby will be in a better place because of it. Harrison's pack were going backwards but he still showed signs that he has what it takes to make that next step.
5. Brumbies set piece
We talk about this so often that it seems to have become a cliche but the Brumbies set piece really is something else. Scrum time. Tick. Lineout. Tick. Rolling maul. You better believe it - tick. No many weaknesses in this Brumbies side but there are two big home tests coming up with the Rebels next week and Reds the week after.
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RECORDS TUMBLES: Brumbies put 61 points on the Waratahs
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