Reinstated ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says the groundwork laid by predecessor Dan McKellar has handed him an "armchair ride" through their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Brumbies beat the Queensland Reds 23-17 in a bruising all-Australian affair at Canberra on Saturday to join New Zealand's Chiefs as the only teams with three wins from three.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
The Chiefs sit atop the standings courtesy of collecting three bonus point victories -- including Friday's 28-7 drubbing of the Otago Highlanders.
But Larkham is satisfied with his team's tenacity in winning tight affairs against strong opposition in the New South Wales Waratahs, Blues and the Reds to once again emerge as Australia's most likely outfit to challenge New Zealand's traditional dominance of the competition.
The Brumbies never trailed the Reds after scrum-half Nic White darted over for an early try in his 100th match for the Wallabies-laden team.
White and five-eighth Noah Lolesio controlled proceedings behind a pack that is again forging a reputation for proficiency at set pieces and the lineout drive.
Former Brumbies playing great Larkham, who has returned this year for a second stint as the team's coach, said McKellar ensured the Brumbies never ignored their adherence to rugby's most important facets during his five years in charge in Canberra.
"So it's an armchair ride at the moment. Like, Dan set up everything perfectly," said Larkham, who has returned from three years in charge of Irish province Munster's team.
"I'm just sitting in here with the other coaches letting the players do the job.
"We've got a really good playing group, we've got unbelievable staff and it's in a really good place at the moment, this organisation."
Wallabies lock Darcy Swain said Larkham's understated style contrasted with that of the passionate McKellar but was proving equally effective.
"I really like what he's bringing, he's very calm and Dan's obviously a big personality but both are great coaches," Swain said.
Elsewhere, penalty goals after the final whistle handed wins to the Fijian Drua and Western Force in dramatic circumstances.
Bryce Hegarty slotted the decisive three points for the Force in their 21-18 victory defeat of Moana Pasifika in Perth, defying a numerical disadvantage after the home side were reduced to 13 players over the closing stages.
The Drua's 25-24 defeat of the 11-time champion Canterbury Crusaders in front of a packed stadium in Lautoka was a Pacific-sized upset, capped by the winning penalty to Kemu Valetini, who had not long come off the bench for his debut appearance.
The Melbourne Rebels surprised the Waratahs 34-27 in Melbourne, while the Auckland Blues ended the Wellington Hurricanes' unbeaten start to the season with a 25-19 victory in Wellington.
