The first official trial for 2022 is in the books with the Waratahs defeating the Brumbies 24-12 in Bowral.
Trial form is generally looked on differently by fans depending on whether the scoreboard favoured their side at the end of the game.
For the Waratahs, it was a long-awaited victory to build confidence for Darren Coleman and the young side that 2022 will be the start of their so-called 'reset'.
As for the Brumbies, they will consider the hit-out a timely chance to get rid of some apparent rust in tough conditions in their lone hit-out against Super opposition before their opener on February 20
However, there was still plenty of key talking points from the 90 minute match in Bowral.
- Donno dominance
The standout from the trial was Waratahs flyhalf Ben Donaldson, who took a major step towards making the jersey his own.
He produced a freak try to open up the Brumbies, recognising that tight five pair Scott Sio and Tom Hooper were defending close to the ruck, stepping past both before sprinting past the fullback to score.
Whilst the flashy plays will dominate the highlights, it was the 22-year-old's clearance kicking that shone during the wet conditions.
On multiple occasions, the collected playmaker got the Waratahs out of danger, including a booming penalty from inside their 5 metre line that found touch on the other side of halfway to alleviate pressure and put them firmly on the attack.
2. Playmaker problems
Both teams will have nervous waits surrounding the fitness of key playmakers after the bruising encounter with Rodney Iona (calf) and Will Harrison (shoulder) forced off.
Iona's injury comes in the one position the Brumbies do not have great depth in and puts a lot of pressure on Noah Lolesio if he is to remain on the sidelines for an extended.
Meanwhile, Harrison will be racing the clock to be fit after featuring at fullback for the last 45 minutes.
With Michael Hooper already expected to miss the start of the season, the Waratahs can't afford for further players to join them as they look to avoid a similar fate to last year where at one point almost 20 players were unavailable for selection.
3. Shaking cobwebs
The Brumbies looked disjointed at stages of the defeat, however, much of the issues from this game will be resolved with further game-time and a bevy of returning Wallabies.
They seemed to be uncharacteristic at set-piece time, with their scrum dominated by a surging Angus Bell and Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Dan McKellar was also critical of their discipline, giving up simple mistakes in crucial field position to hand possession back to the Waratahs.
They will look to iron out these issues in an internal trial this week before turning their focus to the Western Force.
4. Back three battle
The Waratahs continue to experiment with their back three, with Darren Coleman giving first shot at the fullback position to an under-the-radar selection in James Ramm.
Ramm split time with Harrison at the back and looked impressive in attack, throwing the long ball to Lalakai Foketi to set up the first try.
It is widely expected new recruit Tevita Funa will feature at some stage of the year at the back but he looked right at home on the wing, making two line breaks in his 45-minute stint. His speed, size and skills will make him a handful if he continues his rapid development.
Meanwhile, James Turner did his chances of earning a full-time deal and a spot in the 23 no harm with a double, including a freakish first try where he somehow twisted his body to score in the corner after beating two defenders.
A serious contender for Try of the Year already and it's great to see him bounce back after a nightmare debut last year in Auckland.
5. Tah tough
It's the motto Darren Coleman has drilled into his side and slowly but surely it seems to be showing in their style of play.
Their defensive effort was incredible throughout the 90 minutes, set up by a brutal scrummaging showing as already touched on.
But it will be the period just before the second break that Coleman and the coaching staff would be most proud of, with the second-string Tahs holding off a Brumbies side that was still packed with Wallabies and quality players.
It breaks a near one-year drought without victory. Their last? A 45-33 win over Queensland Reds at the pre-season trial match in Narrabri.
The trick is now to ensure fans don't have to endure a similar wait and they produce a similar level of performance during Super Rugby Pacific.
