The Brumbies struck a hugely important blow for Australian rugby by breaking the 2022 trans-Tasman duck against the Highlanders in Melbourne.
It was a match-up between the top Australian side and the last-placed Kiwi team yet the Highlanders started favourites with the bookmakers on the back of lopsided recent form.
But the Canberra club were laser focused and thoroughly deserved their 28-17 win at AAMI Park that was sealed by Noah Lolesio’s late try in the corner.
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Lolesio crosses for crucial try
The Waratahs and Reds had their moments but lost their Super Round games against the Chiefs and Hurricanes respectively.
“It closes down all that chat about ‘oh, when is Australia going to win a match against the Kiwis?’ – that’s done now, that’s ticked off,” Stan Sport’s Nick McArdle said.
The Brumbies were dominant for the majority of the match and should have scored in the second minute if not for Tom Wright’s all-time howler in spilling the Gilbert under no pressure over the line.
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But that proved a blip in a typically professional performance under coach Dan McKellar.
“How good is it? When’s the next one, that’s what the chat should be now, when’s the next one?” Allana Ferguson said on Stan Sport.
“The Brumbies and the Reds, in particular, moving forward, are two teams that can really challenge these New Zealand sides and we got a glimpse of that today.”
The Brumbies are second on the ladder, one point behind the Blues.
Wallabies legend Tim Horan also gave the thumbs up to the new Super Round format.
“I think this Super Round’s been fantastic, it’s shown what the Kiwis have and also we’re not that far off,” Horan said.
“Even though the Reds lost last night, (after being) up 17-0 against the Hurricanes, we’re not that far off. It’s just critical moments in the game that cost us last night but that’s a very solid performance by the Brumbies.”
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