The Western Force have drawn first blood in the inaugural match of the Super Rugby AUS competition, prevailing 24-3 over the NSW Waratahs at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The match saw a dogged clash played in front of a vocal crowd, with two tries early in the second half putting the match beyond doubt for the hosts.
Watch every second of Super Rugby AUS live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
So, what did we learn?
It was a competition billed as one for the next generation of talent to show their stuff, and in its opening match, Super Rugby AUS delivered exactly that.
While the match saw Super Rugby stars like Miles Amatasero put on big hits and Mac Grealy break the line, it was the younger players who impressed the most.
Sid Harvey, fresh off strong form in the Australia U20s, looked right at home on the wing for the Waratahs, looming as a solid option at kicker.
The Force meanwhile saw Marley Pearce have one of his best showings in the Force jersey, with Henry Robertson also bagging a try for his efforts.
The match saw a tight first half hour, with a Waratah penalty goal proving the difference between the sides.
However, with an unfortunate injury to Boston Fakafanua, Kurtley Beale entered, and the impact was instant.
The 95-Test Wallaby veteran clicked the Force backline into gear, combining with Viliami Fine, George Poolman and Mac Grealy to regularly break the Waratahs’ line.
It was a prime example of the value of a competition like this - young, exciting talent working with experienced heads to create the next generation.
The Waratahs will be disappointed with their defence, with the tries coming quickly in the second half.
However, it was even more incredible considering the hosts dominated the scrum for most of the match.
Oniti Finau and Apolosi Ranawai are two solid finds, building on the solid foundation at the scrum set by Tom Lambert and Ethan Dobbins.
However, the side has a lot of work to do in general play, with Marley Pearce and Alber Alcock among the forwards able to get the Force going forward.
With the visitors achieving parity in the lineout in the second half, the holes became too many for the Waratahs to plug.
The match saw a dogged clash between the two sides, with the game threatening to spill over on several occasions as both sides looked to gain ascendancy.
However, the epicentre of this was the lock battle, as Matt Philip and Miles Amatosero faced Mitch Watts and Darcy Swain.
The match got physical on several occasions between Amatosero and Swain, with several big hits between the two. However, Swain and Watts would win the war, with their discipline proving resilient and the Force lineout achieving parity in the second half.
Philip will be frustrated by a yellow card in the first half given it was an encouraging performance until then, but the lock stocks should please Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
The community feeling was on full display at Rat Park on Friday night, with the 1,000 seat western stand filled to capacity at Rat Park and the fans on the hill enjoying a solid contest.
Completing the transition of club spirit to the match, Warringah Rat Player of the Year Wes Thomas got the biggest cheer of the night, debuting for the Force.
Other Shute Shield stars, such as Eastwood’s James McGregor also made their Super Rugby debuts, getting their first taste of professional rugby.
With the Waratahs set to head to Narriabri next week and the Reds and Brumbies set to battle it out at Ballymore on Sunday, the decision to take the competition to club grounds could prove a master stroke, with fans having the chance to see Australian rugby pathways in action.
