The Brumbies are back on top of Super Rugby AU and look set to take out the minor premiership after comprehensively beating the Waratahs 38-11 in Canberra on Saturday night.
With the Reds to serve their second bye-round next weekend, the Brumbies need only win one of their two remaining matches to host the final on September 19.
But, before that, what did we learn from their bonus-point win over the Waratahs?
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WHY THE BRUMBIES REMAIN THE TEAM TO BEAT
It says something about the Brumbies system when the coach, Dan McKellar, makes 16 changes to his squad and then his rejigged side smashes an improving Waratahs.
Would there be another side in Australian rugby that could rest a Test trio - Tevita Kuridrani, Folau Fainga'a and Joe Powell - and then hammer their opponents?
I don't think so.
The Brumbies weren't brilliant but they feasted on the numerous errors from the Waratahs, whose hands were poor on a bitterly cold night in the nation's capital.
They stretched the Waratahs in attack, who were regularly caught too narrow in defence and clearly missed Karmichael Hunt's experience in the midfield.
While Ryan Lonergan was sound at halfback, returning Wallabies No.9 Nic White brought some experience and leadership to the halves when he came on midway through the second half.
Rob Valetini made a strong impact off the bench too, getting over the gain line and making a dent in the Waratahs' defensive line.
🐎 @BrumbiesRugby were on the trot! #SuperRugbyAU #BRUvWAR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 22, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/KrvtoIsMIX pic.twitter.com/EKgdlxrmrN
THE BIGGEST ASPECT HURTING AUSTRALIA'S SUPER SIDES
We've seen it at the Force, at the Reds and now the Waratahs suffered because of their dodgy night at the lineout.
It is the area of the game hurting Australia's Super Rugby sides the most.
Not only does a dodgy lineout kill the momentum of a team's attack, but it also makes the spectacle harder to enjoy for the watching public.
Five times the Waratahs had their lineout stolen.
On a number of other occasions their ball was messy too.
Up until tonight the Waratahs' lineout had been solid but Saturday night's match showcased the importance of having a firing lineout.
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Hooker Tom Horton had a difficult night where he dropped the ball on a couple of occasions too.
In recent weeks the Reds and Force have struggled at the set-piece too.
It's an aspect that has hurt the progress of the Reds, in particular, and their hookers Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Alex Mafi.
HUNT'S ABSENCE HURTS TAHS
The Waratahs suffered from having messy ball at the breakdown but there's no doubt they also missed Hunt's presence in the midfield.
With the dual international a late withdrawal, the Waratahs' centre combination of Joey Walton and Lalakai Foketi didn't click.
They drifted across too much and needed to straighten the line of attack.
His absence hurt Will Harrison too, who stood deep in attack.
It's not just the experience of Hunt and the quality of player that they missed but the talk and communication the code-hopper brings to the team.
⬜to ➡️ for @BrumbiesRugby to go back to the 🔝 of #SuperRugbyAU.
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 23, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/KrvtoIsMIX pic.twitter.com/17wgLxVqlQ
WHITE'S RETURN A BOOST FOR BRUMBIES
With just about his first touch of the ball White showed the benefit of having a Test player back in your squad.
After coming on for Lonergan in the 50th minute, the Brumbies won a penalty, kicked for the corner and then marched towards the line via their rolling maul. It came down a couple of metres short of the line and it was then that White's class immediately was shown.
The Waratahs' defence attempted to slide and cover the blindside.
White cut out four defenders and hit a flying Tom Wright on the wing who scored.
The play showed the benefit of vision and playing the game at speed.
It also showed the excellent tempo that White can play with from halfback.
⁉️ How did Pete Samu score this?! #SuperRugbyAU #BRUvWAR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 22, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/KrvtoIsMIX pic.twitter.com/huehzXtC9F
SUPER SAMU
In 2019 it was all about Reds and Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi.
The other Samu, Pete, hardly got a look-in despite another impressive Super Rugby campaign.
But in 2020 we'll likely see the Brumbies back-rower return to the Wallabies fold.
While the Reds' Harry Wilson and the Rebels' Isi Naisarani are the front-runners for the No.8 position, Samu continues to show his impressive array of skills.
Just where he best fits for the Wallabies remains the question?
Capable of playing in every position of the back-row, he once again looms as someone Dave Rennie could bring on off the bench to increase the speed of the game.
