The Brumbies are primed for a major Super Rugby Pacific campaign as they prepare for 2022.
Dan McKellar's side can consider themselves seriously unlucky they didn't finish Super Rugby AU hoisting the title after dominating the Reds in their three matches, coming away with no wins despite leading for the large majority.
They would then narrowly lose to the Crusaders to start Trans-Tasman before pulling off a hard-fought win over the Hurricanes in Round Four.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au looks at the five key talking points for the Brumbies heading into 2022.
1.The last Dan(ce)
The Brumbies have plenty of motivation heading into 2022, no greater than sending Dan McKellar off on a high.
McKellar is set to depart for the Wallabies set-up and has had a major influence on how the side has played and their subsequent success in 2020.
It's easy to forget the Brumbies found themselves as the leading Australian/NZ side alongside the Crusaders when Super Rugby was cancelled due to COVID two years ago before going on to win the inaugural Super Rugby AU.
With club legend Stephen Larkham set to return in 2023, the club will be keen to send McKellar out on a high and they have the roster to seriously contend.
2. Consistency
It's been the main talking point for the Brumbies heading into pre-season and they will need to find consistency if they wish to compete with the best.
In Trans-Tasman, strong performances against the Crusaders and Hurricanes were bookmarked by thumping defeats against the Chiefs and Blues.
Their coaching staff have already identified the need to rectify this, stressing the importance of diversifying their attack after heavily relying on the rolling maul.
The draw sees them playing Moana Pasifika and three Australian teams in their first month, with home clashes against the Chiefs and Hurricanes looming as key litmus tests.
3. No limits for Loleiso
Flyhalf Noah Lolesio has had a crazy 12 months for both club and country.
Lolesio featured in 27 games across the period, including a Super Rugby AU title win before being thrust into his Wallabies debut in a nightmare game against the All Blacks in October 2020.
Whilst he couldn't match his Super Rugby heroics this year around, the 21-year-old did more than enough to be selected for the test series against France, kicking two clutch game-winning penalties.
Indifferent performances in the Bledisloe found him as the odd man out in the Quade Cooper fairytale and was rushed back into the setup for the Spring Tour after initially being left out to work on his game.
With uncertainty surrounding Cooper's availability and the make-up of the Giteau Law in 2022, Lolesio can firmly establish himself as the premier playmaker as he looks to make his case ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
4. Wallaby playing club footy
When the Brumbies take the field for the opening match of Super Rugby Pacific against Moana Pasifika, they will do it with a Wallaby waiting in the wings regardless of their fitness such is the depth at hooker with Folau Fainga'a, Lachlan Lonergan and Connal McInerney.
All three found themselves selected by Dave Rennie during the Rugby Championship and Spring Tour.
This leaves McKellar trying to fit three into two, who got a very good look at all three during his secondment as Wallabies forwards coach.
Unless he can somehow work an offence with two hookers on the field, it'll loom as an interesting pre-season battle between the trio, with Lonergan arguably getting a leg up by staying at home instead of going to Europe.
5. Backing up the breakthrough year
The Brumbies found themselves dominating the Wallabies sides come selection time as a number of players locked down spots in Dave Rennie's side for the future.
Backrower Rob Valetini was the most improved player in 2021 and has kept a near generational talent in Harry Wilson on the sidelines.
Valetini has switched between flanker and number eight at clubland so it will be fascinating to see how McKellar uses him alongside Pete Samu.
Meanwhile, Len Ikitau looms as the outside centre of the future, highlighted by dominant showings against South Africa, and will need to back it up at clubland as the position's depth continues to grow.
