The Brumbies have produced a statement 31-25 victory over the Waratahs, withholding a breakout performance by teenage sensation Max Jorgensen.
Jorgensen backed up all the hype, breaking the game open with a brilliant individual try in the 14th minute before diving over just after the half-time break.
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He finished the game with a double, four line breaks and a team-high 93 metres from six carries.
However, the Brumbies were ultimately too strong across all facets of the game to take the Super Rugby opener in front of 25,076 at the new Allianz Stadium
It is their tenth straight win over their NSW counterparts, reaffirming their status as the premier side in Australia.
Tom Wright sought to silence the crowd early, blasting through a Lane Edmed tackle before finding Ryan Lonergan for the opening try.
However, the teenage sensation Jorgensen was quick to bring the Allianz faithful to their feet with a bit of magic.
The 18-year-old was in the perfect position to collect an Angus Bell offload before spinning out of tackles from Wallabies stars Allan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini to dive in under the posts.
The visitors refused to panic and eventually caught Jorgensen and the Waratahs napping when some clever heads up play from Lonergan gave them a half-time.
After nearly scoring himself, the Australia A captain turned down the three points, instead opting to cross-kick to Andy Muirhead, who seemed as unaware as anyone chatting to the assistant referee, who eventually turned around to score the easiest try of his career.
His fellow winger Corey Toole almost produced a piece of magic, tip-toeing down the sidelines before throwing the flick offload to Valetini, only to be brought back after he put a stud in touch.
Jorgensen made it a double after the break, latching onto a great ball from Lalakai Foketi to showcase the finishing ability in the corner.
His opposite Toole was ready to answer Jorgensen’s effort, finishing off a nice move in the corner.
Langi Gleeson provided a spark, putting Foketi into space as he found Jake Gordon to reduce the margin to six.
The impact of the new laws showed in the final quarter as both teams made sloppy mistakes on account of the frenetic pace of the contest.
As the Waratahs hunted for the turnover, their discipline ultimately cost them the game as Noah Lolesio put the lead outside a converted try.
A pair of Jorgensen line breaks rallied the hosts late, eventually earning a well-deserved bonus point to close out the game.
The Waratahs will have worries over prop Angus Bell, who went off after the first quarter with a foot injury.
It’s the same foot that kept him out of the Spring Tour, dampening what was a strong start from the 22-year-old after he signed a contract extension during the week.
The Brumbies have their own concerns, with Lachlan Lonergan a late withdrawal, followed off by Connal McInerney (HIA), forcing the un-retired John Ulugia to play nearly a full 80 minutes almost 12 years on from his last game for ACT
ACT BRUMBIES 31
TRIES: R. Lonergan, Muirhead, Toole
CONS: R. Lonergan 1/2, Lolesio 1/1
PENS: R. Lonergan 3/3, Lolesio 1/1
NSW WARATAHS 25
TRIES: Jorgensen 2, Gordon
CONS: Edmed 2/3
PENS: Edmed 2/3
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson
RESERVES: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Te Tera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: John Ulugia, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Jordan Way, David Conway
