It wasn't pretty but the Brumbies found a way to defeat the Western Force 29-23 at GIO Stadium.
Nearly 12 months since his brother Ryan won a game on the siren for the ACT-based club, replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan proved match-winner as he latched onto an offload from man-of-the-match Tom Wright for the win.
So what did we learn from the close encounter?
1.BENCH IMPACT
After a pretty slow 70 minutes, this game absolutely ramped into action late, with both benches playing an integral role at the end of the game.
With the game still up for grabs, replacement flyhalf Jake McIntrye started and finished their last attacking effort, initially putting Kyle Godwin into space on the halfway
Ollie Callan’s strong run set up the quick ball, with the inspirational Fergus Lee-Warner throwing an incredible offload to McIntyre for the try.
However, the Brumbies continued to find a way to answer anything the Force threw at them with Tom Wright bursting down the wing, throwing the ball back for replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan to seal an incredible win.
2. TALE OF TWO HALVES
If the Brumbies line out is their bread and butter, it would be fair to call it stale in the first half.
Three were lost in the first 15 minutes, with Izack Rodda and Force standout Lee-Warner causing absolute havoc to really leave the Brumbies’ attack struggling for answers.
Some adjustments at the half from Darcy Swain and the forward pack got them firing once again, twice doing what they do best and finding the line from a rolling maul.
3. RECRUITS IMPRESS
Whilst the Western Force failed to close out the win, they showed plenty to indicate they will be serious threats in Super Rugby Pacific.
Their new recruits especially were influential, with Izack Rodda showing why he is one of the best second-rowers in the country, if not the world.
Meanwhile, Reesjan Pasiota looked comfortable in his first start whilst Manasa Mataele looked deadly whenever he touched the ball, setting up their first try of the game just after the break.
They will be hoping Bayley Kuenzle is right to go for next week against the Rebels after he failed his HIA.
4. DEFENSIVE EFFORT
The Brumbies must be proud of their defensive effort throughout the contest, particularly during the first half.
They would make almost 80 more than their opposition in the first 40 minutes, however, maintained the lead into the break as the Force were denied on countless ocassions.
Whilst it faltered at stages at both ends of the second half, Dan McKellar will be pleased with the way they kept themselves in the contest and it ultimately set the win up for them.
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5. SWAIN’S A MENACE
Nic White may have the title of ‘Brumbies’ biggest pest’ with some fans but Darcy Swain is giving him a run for his money for opposition teams.
Swain is a line out wizard and instantly made an impact, causing the turnover in the seventh minute when the Force tried to launch an attack inside their 22.
Along with this, he shut down any attempts of a box kick from Ian Prior, charging down at least three attempts.
His final effort proved game-changing, leading to the line out inside prime rolling maul position to allow Rory Scott to cross.
