The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies moved closer to the top two in the Smartech Super Rugby Pacific table with a dominant 40-17 win over old rivals the Waratahs at GIO Stadium.
Try doubles from Corey Toole and Billy Pollard, who both have eight apiece for the season, were complemented by scores from Len Ikitau and Allan Alaalatoa. Alongside five conversions from Noah Lolesio, Brumbies pulled clear ahead of the Sydney-based side in the second half.
Head coach Stephen Larkham was delighted with side's efforts against their biggest rivals.
"That was a pretty complete performance," Larkham said.
"We just said in the changing rooms at the end of the game that we had a few opportunities in the latter stages of the second half that we didn't take.
"The first half was excellent from us and then we backed up at the start of that second half. If you combine everything, the training week that we put in, the attitude that the boys had coming out of the game last weekend, it's been a really good week for us."
The Brumbies shot out of the gates with a clear willingness to throw the football around, much to the delight of the home crowd. The bold style of play paid dividends when a Lolesio pass found an unmarked Toole, who opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the match. The no-look pass of David Feliuai in the build-up left fans speechless, as he further staked his claim as one of the recruits of the year.
Four minutes later, the New South Welshmen were reduced to 14 when Jake Gordon earned himself a 10-minute spell courtesy of a no-arms tackle on Rob Valetini.
The home side added insult to injury in the 10th minute, as Len Ikitau increased his try-scoring tally with a pick-and-go from the ruck.
The in-form Langi Gleeson pulled one back for the 'Tahs, running away for an intercept try in the 18th minute to bring the score to 12-7. The visitors then levelled proceedings five minutes later, this time through Joseph Suaalii off a rolling maul.
Following a penalty within the Waratahs 22, the Brumbies showed no hesitation in opting for their infamous rolling maul. Hooker Pollard reminded national selectors of his match awareness, spotting a gap before splintering away from the maul to re-instate the home side's lead. That 32nd minute try ensured the scoreline read 19-12 with only eight minutes until the break.
It was to prove the last score of the half, despite the Waratahs spending considerable time in the Brumbies half. Pleasingly for coach Larkham, the Canberrans' defence stood up to the test, allowing for a seven-point lead at half time. in what shaped as a modern-day classic
The second half began with the same type of physicality that defined the first 40-minutes, as the Waratahs were denied an early try due to a knock-on.
Several crunch penalties in defence helped steer the home side out of their own half, before a mountain of pressure gave way to an Alaalatoa try in the 46th minute.
Lolesio improved his strike-rate off the tee, converting the try to extend the lead to 14 at 26-12.
A dash of Tom Wright magic was all the Brumbies needed to find the line again, as Pollard recorded his second try of the night in the 49th minute. The five-pointer came off the back of the fullback's dazzling line-break, while Lolesio added the extras to take the score to 33-12.
Wright - the incumbent Wallabies fullback - continued to dominate the match with several key passages of play. It was a Waratahs' mistake, however, that handed the Brumbies their next try, as Toole swooped on a knock-on to further extend their lead under the posts. Lolesio had no problems converting the try from straight in front, which saw the scoreboard read 40-12 in the 58th minute.
The mercurial Wright continued his brilliance, with two long-range efforts falling agonisingly short of the try-line. His decision to chip and chase from the 22 proved costly in the 63rd minute, whilst only the last line of defence could prevent a wonder-try in the 68th.
Andrew Kellaway crossed for the Waratahs in the 78th minute, though it would prove but a consolation try for the men in blue.
Wright was more than happy to dispatch the ball into the stands upon the siren sounding, bringing to an end a dominant performance by the home side. A landslide scoreline of 40-17 was reflective of the Brumbies' superiority, as they cemented themselves within the top 3 on the competition's ladder.
Attention now turns to next week's battle with the Western Force, where their trip to Perth provides a shot at redemption following their Round 2 classic.
