Pete Samu helped spark a second-half revival that turned the Brumbies fortunes around in their Super Rugby opener but it's the presence of his parents in Canberra that could be the biggest win for the club.
Samu lost 2kg in a match played in oppressive conditions in Canberra but the home cooking of his parents quickly helped him recover and he will be fit and firing for the Brumbies' home clash against the Rebels this week.
Friday's clash against the Reds kicked off in 39 degree heat at GIO Stadium and Samu was one of many Brumbies to suffer during the match.
"It was very tough, 40-odd degrees," Samu said.
"I did actually drop 2kg but I'm back up. I had mum and dad over the weekend, so there were a lot of home-cooked meals and it got me back up there very quick."
Samu said there had been plenty of learnings for the Brumbies from Friday's roller-coaster match.
After dominating the Reds in the opening minutes, the Brumbies pack spent the rest of the first half on the back foot before managing to turn things around in the second half, with Samu leading the way.
The physical flanker was among the Brumbies' best last season before a hamstring injury ended his season - and his World Cup hopes.
But a strong NRC campaign with the Canberra Vikings allowed Samu to enter the season fit and firing and he's keen to help the Brumbies get a roll on when they host the Rebels this week.
"We definitely took a lot of learnings out of that which will boost our confidence leading into this week," he said.
The forwards want to pick up where they left off on Friday, with captain Allan Alaalatoa saying their first-half performance was not up to scratch.
"we did have a few technical issues (in the scrum) but I think it was good to get it out of the way in round one," Alaalatoa said.
"It's definitely an area we're going to continue to grow in and one we're going to continue to have pride in.
"It wasn't up to scratch (against the Reds) but definitely a growth area going into next week."
The Brumbies take on the Rebels at Canberra's GIO Stadium on Friday, February 7, kicking off at 7:15pm AEDT and broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
