Out of all the possible outcomes heading into Saturday's game at HBF Park, a game-winning try to Jeremy Thrush for the Force was probably the last thing anyone would've expected.
Thrush wasn't even in the line-up until an hour before the game. However, the lock has furthered his cult hero status, unretiring to power the Force to a 34-27 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
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The Rebels looked set to run away with the game after a 24-10 lead before the likes of Toni Pulu and finishers Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Tom Horton helped change the game.
So what did we learn?
1.What a Thrush
It’s only round one and we may already have the story of the year.
Jeremy Thrush called time on his career at the end of 2022, seemingly ending on a perfect note with a victory over the Hurricanes, the team he played over 110 caps for.
However, an injury to Izack Rodda led the former All Black to get the tap on the shoulder to ditch the coaching gear for the boots and blue jersey.
The Force kept his return quiet until the last moment, leaving jersey number 19 as TBC before footage of the 37-year-old emerged on the Stan coverage minus the famous moustache.
In the end, his influence proved the difference, crashing over the line to win the game for the Force.
He also won a key lineout to help the hosts withhold a valiant last-ditch effort from the visitors.
2. New recruits provide spark
Both teams got decent returns from their new stars after overhauling their roster
The Rebels were sparked early by a big hit from Monty Ioane on former captain Michael Wells, although he was relatively quiet in attack.
They need to figure out how to get him best involved as their key leaders failed to step up towards the end of the game.
Meanwhile, the Force were decimated before the game, with Manasa Mataele and Folau Fainga’a late withdrawals, leading to the surprise debut of Tom Horton, who dived over for a try in the second half.
Horton aș a third hooker is great for the Force's front-row depth, returning after a quick stint in Leicester and looks all the better for it.
He was complemented by controlled performances from the duo of Hamish Stewart and Bryce Hegarty, who steered the inexperienced backline around.
They provided a nice foil to winger Toni Pulu, whose energy and bruising hit-ups before and after the half helped flip momentum.
3. Backrow battles
It was a battle of the backrowers as both teams looked to dominate at ruck time.
Brad Wilkin and Richard Hardwick took advantage of the over-eagerness from the hosts to steal turnover after turnover as the Rebels controlled the first half.
The influence of Tim Anstee took over in the second half, showing the form that had him on the verge of Wallaby selection.
Anstee’s 77th-minute turnover ended up securing the game for the Force in a man-of-the-match performance, giving them much-needed momentum heading into 2023 after two below-standard trials.
4. Change of pace
The injection of Issak Fines-Leleiwasa came at the perfect time, changing the game.
It provided the spark the Force needed after a slow first half, getting the hosts on the front foot with some darting runs from the ruck.
He put over Tom Horton just after the break as his energy was infectious as they rode the momentum home.
It leaves an interesting selection dilemma for Simon Cron after a slow start from Ian Prior, throwing an intercept to Carter Gordon for the first try of the game.
5. Signs of crackdown
The new laws around Super Rugby have had a clear effect on games in round one, with the Rebels the first Australian side to be caught out for time wasting.
Ryan Louwrens getting caught for taking too long at the ruck in the third minute set the tempo for the game as referee Damon Murphy looked to keep the game going.
It didn’t matter as the Rebels dominated the resulting scrum but interesting to see whether it will continue to be inforced so heavily heading into Super Round
