The opening round of Super Rugby AUS has arrived, marking the first time a domestic senior Australian competition has been played in nearly four years.
The competition saw nearly 30 new players make the jump from clubland and pathways to senior representative rugby, with plenty making brilliant first impressions.
Watch every second of Super Rugby AUS live and on-demand via the Rugby.com.au YouTube channel.
The Western Force and Queensland Reds find themselves atop the table, with the Force overcoming a determined Waratahs side to run away 24-3 in the second half at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Reds, meanwhile, had to dig deep to defeat a fast-finishing Brumbies outfit, winning 36-26 on an entertaining afternoon in the sun at Ballymore.
Rugby Australia's High Performance staff select their Team of the Week from Round 1.
Aidan Ross continues to make a big splash for the Reds following his Lions’ debut and recent call up to the Wallabies squad - backing up with a solid performance at Ballymore.
Creating all sorts of problems at scrum time for the Brumbies, Ross even managed a break for his efforts.
The Force have an excellent find on their hands in Albert Alcock, who had a 100 per cent success rate at the lineout, while also being a menace in general play.
The Force academy product made 41.6 post-contact metres, beating four defenders and making one line break.
Arguably, he was the most important player on field for the Force: with the side being bossed in the scrum, his ability to achieve parity in the lineout during the second half proved the tipping point to open the floodgates for the visitors.
One of the few things that went right for the Waratahs was the scrum, the men in sky blue dominating the Force from start to finish - and Dan Botha was the main reason for it.
All over Marley Pearce at scrumtime, Botha also had a perfect night on defence, missing no tackles. While Massimo De Lutiis was a welcome return, it was not enough to unset Botha.
There was a lot to like from two-capped Wallaby Seru Uru, who impressed with a perfect defensive record for the Reds.
Keeping himself busy in the set piece, his two linebreak assists played a major factor in the Reds getting on the front foot.
Coming up against the aggressive Miles Amatasero, Darcy Swain was going to have his work cut out, the Force captain being on the receiving end of some special treatment in the first half.
However, his response showed how much has discipline has improved, managing 11 lineout takes, 12 completed tackles with none missed, and a try for his efforts.
Australia’s loose forward stocks impressed in the opening weekend, with the Force’s Will Harris getting an honourable mention for a solid night on attack.
However, Toby MacPherson takes the top spot this week, the loose forward producing an 80 minute performance, and a near perfect day on defence, with a turnover as well for his efforts.
The Reds’ Tom Robertson has stiff competition from the Brumbies’ Luke Reimer and the Force’s Kane Koteka, but he takes the top spot for being one of the best defenders of the whole opening weekend.
With a perfect 13-tackle record, Robertson looms as a young steady head who knows his way around a ruck.
Remember the name. A late call up to the squad, Latu was everywhere in this contest, and he likely might have a second cap as a result.
The 20-year-old managed 13 carries, a perfect tackle record, a line break and three defender busts - capping it off with a try assist for his efforts. This kid is good.
When the Force really came alive against the Waratahs, it was going to take a strong halves pairing to take advantage, and Robertson did just that.
Part of an impressive double act with Max Burey, the Force halfback nabbed a try, assisted with a second try, and beat three defenders to tear the Tahs defensive line to shreds.
The Brumbies’ Declan Meredith earns an honourable mention for his calm approach getting the ACT back within striking distance of the Reds, but Burey joins his halves running mate.
Having a perfect night off the kicking tee, Burey managed 11 carries, beat four defenders and helped with a linebreak assist, with his kicking game playing a major factor in the Force’s general play dominance.
A lot of exciting wing prospects presented themselves over the weekend, with Sid Harvey producing a decent debut for the Waratahs.
However, when it came to cutting defensive lines to shreds this weekend, no one could beat Ollie Sapford. The exciting Brumby played a major factor in his side coming back against the Reds, with three line breaks and three beaten defenders getting the visitors going forward.
It was such a shame to see exciting Australia U20 gun Boston Fakafanua depart for the Force at the 30th minute - but when Kurtley Beale came on, the impact was immediate.
The 95-capped Wallaby veteran upped the Force’s attack, utilising Viliami Fine, Justin Landman and Mac Grealy to great effect. It bodes well for Fakafanua to be learning under such a valuable head of experience.
While most of the attention may have been aimed at try-scorers Dre Pakeho and Tim Ryan, Isaac Henry caused all sorts of problems for the Brumbies at outside centre.
With a linebreak and 37.9 post-contact metres, Henry busted five tackles to get the best of his opposite centres Jarrah McLeod and Hudson Creighton.
Some positions were hotly contested across the opening weekend - however, one of the wing slots was always going to be taken up by the Junkyard Dog.
Tim Ryan was back to his attacking best at Ballymore, with two linebreaks capped off with a hattrick of tries to deliver victory for Les Kiss’ side.
While Jock Campbell gets an honorary mention for the Reds, of all the players that benefitted most from the injection of Kurtley Beale, it was Mac Grealy.
The hard running fullback made ten carries in the match, beating four defenders and making three line breaks to cause the Tahs many headaches - with his try on full time a well-deserved reward for his efforts.
