1. Past performance is an indicator of future performance
While the result was different this time around, this was another grinding Brumbies-Waratahs affair. These two teams share a fierce rivalry and that looks set to continue into 2016 after an intense round two clash. Some more heated exchanges showed that while many of these players might be best mates in the green and gold, that means little in Super Rugby season.
2. Folau can be flexible
The Waratahs fullback didn’t look himself in last year’s Rugby World Cup but Waratahs and Wallabies fans will be very pleased to see Israel Folau back to his scintillating best. Folau beat two defenders to score a try against the run of play and reminded everyone exactly the reason he has been a match decider so often for NSW. He switched to outside centre to replace Rob Horne and didn’t look too out of place.
3. Waratahs discipline an issue
After giving away 17 penalties in round one, the Waratahs had two men binned in the first half hour. Most concerning for them was that the pair were their two locks, critical to the set piece at which the Brumbies excel. Once can be written off as a blip, but two weeks of poor discipline should ring alarm bells for the NSW side.
4. Opportunities must be taken
The Brumbies made the most of every slither of opportunity in round one but they were left with plenty to rue against the Waratahs. Despite holding much of the possession for the opening half, 20 minutes of that with a one-man advantage, the Brumbies couldn’t take a scoreboard advantage into the break.
5. Stephen Moore a fine pinot
The Brumbies hooker seems to keep lifting his standards week by week. Moore made four tackle busts, had nine runs for 51 metres against the Waratahs and poses a legitimate attacking threat. Fantasy players will be stoked with his returns in recent weeks but that pales in comparison with the love the Canberra fans feel for him.
