ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says Len Ikitau proved he is more than a world-leading defender by scoring a hat-trick of tries in their Super Rugby defeat of Fijian Drua.
Australian international midfielder Ikitau's deeds helped the Brumbies stave off a second-half Drua fightback, pulling away late to win 38-21 in Canberra on Saturday.
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Their third win of the season lifted the Australian side to second place in the table provisionally, trailing only the Chiefs midway through round five.
Larkham said Ikitau's first hat-trick in 66 appearances for the Brumbies highlighted his all-round qualities.
"I regard Len as the best defensive outside centre in the world," former Wallabies fly-half Larkham told journalists.
"But we also know that when he gets his hands on the ball and he's close to the line, he's pretty much unstoppable.
"Three tries is very special for anyone."
A regular Wallabies starter since his Test debut in 2021, Ikitau is likely to feature in the backline selected to face the British and Irish Lions in this year's three-Test series in Australia.
The 26-year-old said he was benefitting from his combination with two Brumbies team-mates - fly-half Noah Lolesio and fullback Tom Wright - who were also key Australian international backs.
"I think we understand how we play, and we can kind of transfer that over to the Wallabies," said Ikitau, who said he surprised himself by scoring three tries against the Drua.
"I'd rather be setting up the tries to be honest.
"I feel like Fiji, the way they play on defence, they're all physical and put you under a lot of pressure.
"So I was happy with the try variety."
The Brumbies will travel to Sydney next week to face a New South Wales Waratahs side who have won their first three matches.
Larkham said the all-Australian clash would be "the biggest game of the season".
