That’s nine straight wins in this clash for the ACT Brumbies but the NSW Waratahs made them work on a wet night in Canberra.
Full credit to the Waratahs for fighting back from 24-6 down but the final 27-20 scoreline did reflect their inaccuracy in big moments and the more clinical Brumbies.
So what did we learn at GIO Stadium.
1 “V” FOR VICTORY AND VALETINI
The improvement in Wallabies backrower Rob Valetini over the past year and a bit has been one of the biggest plusses for Australian rugby.
In a physical armwrestle in the wet, Valetini imposed himself as the best forward on the field to earn the ACT Brumbies their 17-6 half-time lead.
Valetini has always been able to run big and hit hard. It’s his week-to-week consistency and versatile impacts which now make him such a weapon. His leg drive and strength powered his pick-and-go to the tryline in the early minutes. Late in the half, he positioned himself perfectly to steam onto a Irae Simone pass. It was no mild truck up. He absolutely bulldozed through Alex Newsome, who deserves credit for sacrificing his body to tangle up and slow Valetini.
As good was Valetini getting up quickly for a second effort. He was the body latched onto prop Allan Alaalatoa to drive him forward to set up the Nick Frost try.
2 PASSING LESSONS FOR PERESE
This is broken record stuff but Waratah Izaia Perese is no Test centre until he learns when to pass the ball. His burst to halfway midway through the first half was superb but he had no clue how to position a support or continue the play. He was tackled and the quick breakout ran out of steam.
That said, no one in Super Rugby Pacific is busting more tackles than Perese. He's a force but could be so much more complete.
Brumbies winger Tom Wright has a similar issue. He's such a silky mover but it’s hard to remember a winger with a less friendly relationship with the sideline. He ran himself into the sideline too often last year. In this game, he didn’t use a right foot step to stay in the field of play and, instead, miscued a kick into touch on the full when on full attack.
3 THE BEST RISING TO THE TOP The Brumbies and the Queensland Reds have both now made 3-0 starts to show their superior polish and poise as the best of the Australian sides. Circle the March 18 clash between the teams at GIO Stadium as a Friday night of much-watch rugby.
4 NEVER-SAY-DIE WARATAHS
The Horror-Tahs of 2021 wilted when any sort of blow torch was applied and never more so than a 61-10 embarrassment when they visited Canberra.
Waratahs fans can get behind a 2022 side which is showing fight, young standouts, desire and pride in the blue jersey.
The fightback from 24-6 down was excellent and the desperation on full-time, through phase after phase, must be respected.
5 BUILDING REPUTATIONS
Young Waratahs No.8 Will Harris and Brumbies flanker Jahrome Brown are two players who continue to build their reputations.
Harris is an athletic asset and was still going strong at the 73-minute mark when he was hungry to get into position to capitalise on an excellent Ben Donaldson break. Harris sprinted the final 30m to the tryline.
Brown is hard, physical worker. Credit too must go to replacement flanker Luke Reimer who made two crucial turnovers at the tackle to earn penalties.
