The ACT Brumbies delivered the best performance of 2024 with a thumping 60-21 victory over Moana Pasifika.
It was a direct message to rivals that they've arrived in Super Rugby Pacific after easing into the 2024 season.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
So what did we learn?
Is there a regular season game that will have more meaning and hype than next week’s clash between the Brumbies and Reds?
The Brumbies were criticised for their shaky start to the season but there was no sign of that tonight as they brutalised Moana Pasifika in all areas.
The Reds have had all the attention deservedly as they blitzed the competition in the opening month under new coach Les Kiss.
The two teams have developed a fierce rivalry over the past five years and there’s no doubt next week’s game at Suncorp will deliver another classic.
Joe Schmidt must be giddy about the clash that has enough Wallaby-level talent to double as a Probables v Possibles match ahead of his first game in charge.
Speaking of Schmidt, he mentioned that he thought Rob Valetini’s performance last week was his best of the year. He one-upped that tonight.
Valetini was unstoppable for the hosts, setting the tempo with an offload that should’ve set up the first try. He then crossed for a try of his own at the back of the rolling maul
The backrower’s silky hands continued to influence the game, putting Tamati Tua in for another try after backing up a sudden break by Hudson Creighton.
Even the threat of Valetini had Moana Pasifika jumping at the shadows, allowing Lolesio to set up the opener. He’s a genuine game-breaker who has shown he can thrive whether it’s the six or eight on his back
Tom Wright is quietly re-emerging as a key contender for a spot in the Wallabies back three.
Fellow superstar Corey Toole got all the plaudits in the first month but Wright looks like a player full of confidence in attack.
The decision to go for a chip to Toole off his line was brave but under advantage, delivering the goods when he backed up the speedster to go the length of the field.
He kept breaching the line for the full 80 minutes and sealed the win with a special two minutes where he swapped roles with Toole before scoring his second backing up Tua.
Wright seems a lot more consistent in 2024 and if this can continue, expect him to push for a recall to the Wallabies' setup
The new-look Brumbies attack is slowly coming together as Larkham adds further complexities.
What's clear is there’s a lot more freedom to their attack, typified by their willingness to go to the cross-field kick. It’s the best proof that you can create the most complex gameplan but sometimes finding your fastest player in space is the best option.
They found Corey Toole three times with cross-field kicks. He created tries off two of them on either side of the break.
Even little things like their willingness to take quick taps as illustrated by Charlie Cale to set up the first try is a sign that they have a great licence to play ad-hoc footy in 2024. Not that they’ve gone away from their trusty rolling maul, striking from 20 metres out and settling up Toole with another that lasted a solid minute with forward momentum
If you were going to pick a Wallabies side on form after five rounds, there’s a fair argument to make Noah Lolesio would be the ten.
He backed up last week’s calming performance with a display of his attacking prowess.
Lolesio looked as confident as ever, throwing no-look passes and putting the ball on the foot for fun.
He set up two tries and a further two line break assists whilst aggressively taking on the line.
Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordon have been strong in patches but Lolesio is the man who is making the most convincing claims to start in July against Wales.
