The ACT Brumbies fought tooth and nail against the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday night before falling 36-24 in a nine-try thriller.
Stephen Larkham's side were in it for the opening hour before a late Lions salvo but never gave up, scoring a late try and holding the tourists up in the final play to raucous cheers from a 23,116-strong crowd at GIO Stadium.
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Here's what we learned:
ACT produced the best attacking display from an Australian franchise against the British and Irish tourists since their 2001 predecessors.
The Brumbies couldn’t have asked for a better start on home turf against the Lions with Tuaina Taii Tualima barging over after just four minutes.
His was the first of four Brumby tries - Corey Toole’s 36th minute effort iced a sweeping backline move and Hudson Creighton crossed after half time from a tidy short kick-off receipt. Liam Bowron also fought his way over in the dying minutes.
Stephen Larkham’s men were squarely in this contest for an hour, trailing 19-10 at halftime and just 23-17 before Russell’s penalty goal and a Josh van der Flier maul try.
It’s a testament to the Brumbies’ strong showing that the Lions even opted for a shot at poles – their first since arriving on Aussie shores.
Andy Muirhead’s try-saver on James Lowe deserves its own segment.
The Brumbies centurion slotted into Tom Wright’s regular fullback jersey with aplomb, laying on a lovely try assist for Hudson Creighton and covering plenty of ground out back.
However, Muirhead’s moment came in the 23rd minute with one of the tour’s best defensive plays to date.
The big Irishman looked all but certain to crash over the chalk before Muirhead’s gutsy ball and-all tackle in the far-left corner.
Referee Pierre Brousset called an on-field no try and there was no conclusive evidence to overturn his decision – well played, Mr Muirhead - and the veteran capped it off with another try-saver on full time.
A leg injury to Blair Kinghorn may just have opened the door for Marcus Smith to stake his claim on a Test Lions berth, as either 15 or a locked 23 option
The Englishman was electric on Wednesday night against the Brumbies and combined superbly with chief playmaker Russell in his 55-minute stint.
Smith’s rapid acceleration and ability to draw defenders in and away was on full show but the Harlequin also kicked smartly out of hand and made his tackles count.
His performance and doubts over Kinghorn’s fitness leaves coach Andy Farrell with a conundrum at fullback – Hugo Keenan remains a frontrunner but Smith’s X-factor and ability to cover both 10 and 15 is an enticing prospect in the Test Series.
Wednesday night also put Russell's grasp on the starting flyhalf role beyond doubt - the Scotsman laid on two line break assists, a try assist, added 11 points from the tee and kicked smartly out of hand.
The Lions’ cream is starting to rise to the top – and it’s got an Irish tinge.
Hooker Dan Sheehan, winger James Lowe, centre Garry Ringrose, halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and lock Joe McCarthy all performed strongly against the Brumbies and are almost certain starters for the Lions come next Saturday’s opening Test at Suncorp Stadium.
Meanwhile prop duo Andrew Porter and Tadgh Furlong, and backrower Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are also in contention for starting forward berths while Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen should feature out wide against the Wallabies in some capacity.
Whether or not coach Farrell leans towards his countrymen will be a fascinating watch as the pressure starts to build.
From the English contingent, Ollie Chessum’s star continues to rise while Henry Pollock remains one to watch after his powerful cameo in Canberra.
The Lions' 4-0 start to their Australian tour should be commended - but not for long.
Two strong showings against the Force and Reds have been followed by tougher outings against the Waratahs and Brumbies, who've found cracks in the Lions' defence and frustrated the tourists with line speed and ruck pressure.
Now, Farrell's side must prepare for an entirely new challenge - the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations & Pasifika XV.
AUNZ coach Les Kiss has a star-studded squad at his disposal featuring the likes of David Havili, Hoskins Sotutu and Ngani Laumape while First Nations & Pasifika coach Toutai Kefu will call upon a host of Test stars.
These teams won't be the Wallaby-depleted Super franchises we've seen so far. Expect plenty of fireworks - and a few solid shoulders - either side of next Saturday's opening Test.
