The ACT Brumbies' 24-0 win over Moana Pasifika won't go down in Super Rugby Pacific folklore but it's one hell of a victory on the road.
Stephen Larkham's side endured a torrid opening half before wing duo Corey Toole and Andy Muirhead plus their replacement front row paved way for a vital bonus-point result.
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Here's what we learned:
The first half sure wasn't pretty but Brumbies fans won't care after their spectacular defensive performance set the tone for the shut-out win.
Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa and Rory Scott led the way with a combined 38 first-half tackles while Tuaina Taii Tualima (three defensive penalties) led a defensive breakdown that yielded nine turnovers before oranges.
James Slipper and Harrison Goddard also lumped in with key turnovers and Tom Hooper was a constant menace.
The Brumbies' set piece played a key role in stopping any Moana momentum with five line out steals and two scrum turnovers crucial in slippery conditions.
It's the first time a Super Rugby Pacific side has been kept scoreless since the Crusaders' 39-0 demolition of the Melbourne Rebels in April 2024.
Corey Toole is back in the headlines after his two-try showing - and rightly so - but he's not the only Brumbies winger banging on Joe Schmidt's door.
Both Toole's tries can be attributed to his incredible pace and that remains an untapped (and unmatched resource) among the current Australian back-three prospects.
Yet Andy Muirhead continues to build a case for Wallabies selection following another assured and composed performance in tricky conditions.
Muirhead again topped his side's carry and post contact metres with a line break and try assist complimenting his eight tackles without a miss, including a crucial try-saver.
Muirhead might not boast the power of a Suaalii or the physicality of a Koroibete but the Super Rugby centurion is among the most consistent performers in Brumbyland (just ask Super Rugby Fantasy fans!) and, in this author's opinion, is deserving of a Test squad call-up.
Billy Pollard's double gets the plaudits but don't think for a minute he gets there without fellow replacement front rowers James Slipper and Feao Fotuaika.
Slipper's 45th minute steal paved way for Pollard's first maul try while the 56th minute injection of Fotuaika yielded successive scrum penalties.
Cadeyrn Neville's late injection was inspired with the veteran lock steering the maul for Pollard's second try before replacement halves Harrison Goddard and Declan Meredith played key roles with Goddard's flick pass sparking Toole's late sealer and Meredith's pair of wide conversions pushing the margin out.
It's testament again to the Brumbies depth that three Wallaby forwards can come off the pine and change the course of a game.
Of course, it's always helpful when you've got five in your starting pack.
You might not have thought it after their torrid start to the season but the Brumbies are firmly back on track to host a semi final in 2025.
Currently ranked second on the SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific ladder following Saturday's win, ACT enjoy a dream run home with all five remaining games on Australian shores.
It's not all beer and skittles with tough home assignments against the Hurricanes (April 26) and Waratahs (May 3) before jetting off to Perth.
But after enduring banking two early road wins against the Drua and Blues plus last week's Reds' result, it's take a brave punter to bet against the Brumbies crashing out from here.
A Round 15 bye also works wonders to freshen up before finals while that Round 16 clash with the Crusaders could well be a knockout rehearsal.
Tana Umaga's side fought hard in the opening half but they're a far cry from the side that skewered both the Crusaders and Waratahs earlier this month.
The Brumbies' defensive pressure on Patrick Pellegrini and Jackson Garden-Bachop was telling with Moana's red-hot backline barely getting a sniff on Saturday afternoon.
After knocking on the top six's door, Moana have since slumped back to tenth following losses against the Blues and Brumbies.
The absence of Ardie Savea was keenly felt in Pukekohe, especially around the collision zone, and Moana must bounce back against the Drua (home) and Highlanders (away) across the next fortnight if they're to re-kindle their play-off ambitions.
Set piece remains the major work-on - if Moana can fix up their scrum and line-out woes, they're in with a shot.
