Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard and his fellow front-rowers are reaping the rewards of ACT's vastly improved A-zone efficiency after another big win.
The Brumbies have scored 54 tries on 116 entries into their attacking 22m (46%) in 2025, tied for the best in Super Rugby Pacific alongside the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika.
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This is almost the same amount as they managed to score in 2025 on significantly fewer attempts (60/145), where they were ranked fifth in the same category.
Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa have been the main beneficiaries of this sharp rise in productivity.
The hooker has seven tries in his last five games, including three doubles.
Meanwhile, Alaalatoa crossed for his sixth try of the year in the 40-17 win over the NSW Waratahs, having entered the season with just four tries.
“I think obviously I'm cherry-picking a lot at the back of the maul and Allan’s doing less,” Pollard joked to reporters.
“It's a big focus for this year, and that's what we've been trying to do, whether it's through a maul or pick and drive, or even if the defence compresses and we get them out wide, it's just about completing the A-zone however we can.
“…I think obviously you don't want to be reliant just on one form of scoring, whether that's maul or out wide, whatever it is for us. I think that was a big area of growth and improvement just so we could score through the pick and drives or just try and compress the defence if we can and then go from there.”
The Brumbies are firmly in contention for a top two spot after the Hurricanes' 35-17 upset over ladder-leaders Chiefs.
ACT are three points behind the Chiefs and Crusaders in third, and while the Crusaders have a game in hand, Rob Penney's men must play their Waikato rivals and the Brumbies across a difficult final month.
“It's extremely close and every single point counts, even the for-and-against,” Pollard said.
Pollard remains focused on getting the Brumbies to their first title since the creation of Super Rugby Pacific, trying to block out any thoughts of Wallabies selection for the British and Irish Lions tour.
"It's obviously an extremely exciting time coming up for Australian rugby, but particularly at this stage of the season for the Brumbies, it's just about focusing on the Brumbies,” he added.
“If you get too distracted with anything else, it takes away from what the team needs.
“… I don't think any spot's solidified for anyone. It's just about form and whoever can put their name up, put their hand up for the position. It's extremely exciting and I really hope to be a part of it."
