The NSW Waratahs have dug deep for a 33-26 win over the Western Force to claim the Super Rugby AUS title.
In a mirror of the Super Rugby Pacific clash just south at HBF Park, the visitors won the key moments late to break Force hearts in the final moments.
Catch the replay of the Super Rugby AUS Final here
But what did we learn?
There is plenty to like for the Waratahs as they celebrate some crucial silverware.
The Waratahs are blessed with backs, with the likes of Sid Harvey, Joey Fowler and Leo Jacques all 20 or younger and stepping up in the decider.
Their back row has turned this competition into a showcase opportunity to replace Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson, with Clem Halaholo the standout as he took out Player of the Final.
But the story is replacement flanker Austin Durbidge, who had some big turnovers late and came away with the win. He was excellent for the Australia U20s two years ago and is looming as a great prospect.
It all should give coach Dan McKellar confidence that something is building at Daceyville, especially given the day started with the U19s claiming the title over the ACT Brumbies.
Even in defeat, Max Burey’s stocks continue to rise as he arguably outplayed his teammate and Wallaby Ben Donaldson.
Burey sparked the first try off the counter-attack with some great footwork and hands to set up George Poolman.
His deft kick in-behind in the second half gave the Force the perfect platform to strike, only for their scrum to falter.
The former Sevens star is one to watch heading into the 2026 season as coach Simon Cron is almost forced to find a spot for him in the starting side.
There’s a bunch of players out of this Super Rugby AUS Final that deserve a trip to Japan with Australia A and Force scrum half Henry Robertson is at the top of the list.
Robertson has been positioned to take over Nic White in the west, starting four of their last five games, and he looked all the better for the experience of the past couple of months.
He ran an excellent line to set up Kurtley Beale for the second try and produced a beauty of a try saver on Leafi Talataina.
Max Burey is another obvious selection, while it’d be interesting to see how Haloholo, Michael McDonald or Miles Amatosero go at the next level.
There may be a plethora of Wallaby-quality outside backs at the Waratahs but fullback James Hendren is set to push them all the way if his Super Rugby AUS form is anything to go by.
The fullback almost single-handedly dragged the Waratahs back into the contest with his breaks to set up Jacques and McDonald’s tries.
The Randwick product is playing with unbelievable confidence right now and was comfortable the game leader in metres and line breaks.
Make no mistake, it won’t be easy to break into that Waratahs backline but Hendren is doing everything right.
It may have only been a month-long competition, but the fruits of Super Rugby AUS’s labour are there to be seen.
It was fitting that a young star, Austin Durbidge, got the win as the competition has been a perfect display of the future talent coming through.
It has laid a great platform for the future, which must be built upon as we head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
