The Brumbies clinched an important 31-20 victory over the Lions in Canberra.
What are we talking about after that clash?
1. Brumbies still alive but road trip the true test
The Brumbies’ win over the Lions was a pivotal one for their Super Rugby hopes but the next fortnight will be a real litmus test.
Their win over the Lions keeps them just one point adrift of the Waratahs,sitting third in the Australian conference.
With the Waratahs facing the Rebels next weekend, the Brumbies could leapfrog their NSW rivals but they'll need to prove they can win away from home.
Saturday’s victory was the Brumbies’ third at home in their past five outings and Canberra is the only place they’ve managed to find wins this season.
The Brumbies travel to Cape Town on Sunday ahead of their two-week tour with make or break matches against the Stormers and then the Jaguares in Argentina.
The Canberra outfit showed last year they have the ability to win in Africa and they will need to prove that again if they want to stay in the finals frame.
Success overseas would be a big tick for the Brumbies and could also see them rocket up the pecking order in the back half of the season.
2. The Wright stuff
It was a rocky start for Tom Wright with a yellow card in the opening five minutes but the new Brumbies centre stepped up against the Lions.
Scored a strong try to keep the Brumbies on top and combined well with flyhalf Christian Lealiifano.
Wright finished with 70 metres from six carries and had two clean breaks along the way.
The former Manly Sea Eagle has been on the fringes of the side this season but Saturday’s performance showed he has the potential to play a pivotal role in this Brumbies backline.
3. Lions left to lick more wounds
This time last year, the Lions made a statement in Sydney on their first leg of their Australasian tour with a 29-0 win over the Waratahs.
This season they arrived in Canberra, still hurting from a 42-5 loss to the Sharks in Johannesburg, and were soundly beaten by the Brumbies.
Things don’t get any easier for the Lions in the next two weeks as they take on the Chiefs and the Crusaders in New Zealand but they’ll be desperate to take something away from this tour.
Return home winless and the three-time Super Rugby runners-up will have some major ground to make up in the second half of the season.
4. Fainga'a pulls one out of his trick bag
He can score rolling maul tries as well as anyone but Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a pulled a more surprising trick from his kit bag on Saturday night.
With two minutes left in the first half, Fainga'a put the Brumbies from defence into attack with a superb right-foot drop punt.
The rake put it on the boot seamlessly and gave his teammates a chance to chase.
In a two-on-one, the Lions initially gained possession but the hooker helped force a turnover deep in attack.
Two passes to the edge later and outside centre Tevita Kuridrani scored just shy of the break.
Christian Lealiifano might need to watch his back after that one.
5. Slipper edges closer to a World Cup berth
It seems almost a given that James Slipper will be on the plane to the World Cup in September.That’s a remarkable statement given that just under a year ago he was handed a suspension from the game and cut adrift from the Reds over positive drug tests.
Slipper has thrown himself well and truly into the Brumbies’ cause and has quickly become a pivotal member of their pack.
Again on Saturday night, he added to the game coming off the bench.
The Brumbies scrum was being beaten early in the piece against the Lions and Slipper had a huge hand in turning that around when he came on in the second half.
He has rarely put a foot wrong since coming down to Canberra and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has long been a fan of the loosehead.
If he stays fit, Slipper looks on track for another World Cup outing.
