ACT Brumbies prop James Slipper rates their 50-24 win over the Crusaders as one of the best of his career as he celebrates a special milestone.
The front-rower crossed in his 200th Super Rugby game as the visitors came away with their first victory in Christchurch since 2000.
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With the game poised at 26-19 with 12 minutes to go, Stephen Larkham's side turned the pressure up and delivered a triple strike to secure the victory.
It was the Crusaders' largest loss at home since 2001, honouring Slipper's milestone in style as he became the second man to reach the mark.
"[The win] is up there as one of the best," Slipper said post-match on the coverage.
"We knocked off the Blues at Eden Park last year, and that's a bit of a hoodoo for us. Like most Aussie teams, [we've] come here, and we put up a fight, but we never get the chocolates.
"So, for today to come away with a result, and the way it ended up is a big result for us."
Coach Stephen Larkham was the flyhalf the last time the Brumbies tasted success in Christchurch, with half of their inexperienced squad not even born yet.
"Super proud. We actually didn't speak about [the drought] too much in the build-up throughout the week, and we just stuck to what we needed to get done," captain Ryan Lonergan said post-match.
"I think playing arvo footy here probably helped us a little bit, dry track probably suited us a little bit more. and then super stoked to be able to do it for big Jimmy on his 200th."
The win is amplified by the names unavailable or who have moved on, with Wallabies such as Noah Lolesio, Tom Hooper, Tom Wright, Allan Alaalatoa and Len Ikitau missing from last year's team.
"I think the belief was always there [about] how good of a team we were and the guys coming up who've been in the program for so long [that] they can just come in and fill a role so well and they do a great job,' Lonergan said.
"So it's massive for us to come over. We've had a few big milestone wins and it's all building towards something special."
"I think the lads, they put in a really tough period through the pre-season," Slipper added.
"It's a really tight group and a lot of the boys have come through together over the past few days and we've started the season well.
"We've done a fair bit of travel now. We've been to Perth and we've come to Christchurch and haven't played at home yet so coming away with two games has built our confidence.
"But one thing I know, I've been around a while now, you know, you've got to be playing your best rugby towards the end of the season, and that's what the Crusaders do really well. They seem to come home really strong so that's our challenge."
