The ACT Brumbies just sent a message to the rest of the competition with a thrilling 36-32 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva.
They become the third side to win in Fiji and the first Australian side to do so, combating the conditions and the valiant hosts on their first visit.
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So what did we learn?
Laurie Fisher said it best after the Brumbies win: Underestimate them at your peril.
The Reds and Waratahs have a plethora of big names, but the Brumbies did what no Australian side has been able to do without theirs.
Tom Wright, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Nick Frost, and Len Ikitau were all rested, whilst Rob Valetini was left watching from the Suva sidelines as the understrength side flipped momentum and closed out the win.
The depth in Canberra is ridiculous, with the six new faces fitting in superbly.
This was a message to the rest of the competition: this Brumbies side is legit.
Luke Reimer is going to push Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano all the way for a starting seven spot for the Wallabies in 2025.
He recovered after an early hit that forced him off for an HIA and single-handedly inspired the Brumbies back into the contest.
The turnover wizard got two pilfer penalties with momentum well with the Drua before diving over himself in the corner to reduce the lead to three.
He then replicated this for his fourth turnover, diving over the top of Drua bodies for his second and the lead.
The talent around the open-side flanker position is incredible in Australia, with Reimer one-upping Charlie Gamble’s efforts from last night.
The Fijian Drua made life way too hard for themselves in the first half with a pair of yellow cards that left them down to 13.
Isikeli Rabitu’s tip tackle was unnecessary, only matched by a silly knock down by Vuate Karawalevu.
It allowed the Brumbies to strike twice instantly and silence the crowd, their main weapon at home.
The Drua deserve credit for the way they kept calm but it was a silly passage of play that ultimately cost them
Stephen Larkham’s men will lament how they let the Drua back into the game when they were down two players, even in victory.
The visitors were systemic in how they broke down the Fijians until the kickoff from Ryan Lonergan’s try.
From here, they tried to beat the defence wide instantly rather than suck in the defence and let the gaps present themselves as they did for Ollie Sapsford’s try. In the slippy conditions, it led to too many handling errors and allowed Caleb Muntz to kick the hosts into striking distance.
It’s a valuable lesson for the Brumbies, who kept calm and got the job done.
The Fijian Drua keep finding explosive wingers that can turn a game.
Ponipate Loganimasi and Vuate Karawalevu were lightening in the edges, both crossing in their debuts for the club.
It comes with Selestino Ravutaumada sitting on the sidelines as he deals with injury.
The concern for the Drua is Iosefo Masi joins him after the powerful centre limped off in the second half.
