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The Brumbies have quashed early talk of finals despite an emphatic return to the top of the Australian Super Rugby conference with a 37-6 demolition of Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.
Coach Jake White insists the true test will come in the next fortnight, when the Brumbies head over to South Africa for tough assignments against the Bulls and the Lions.
It looms as a major challenge given the ACT franchise has yet to claim a win away from home at Canberra Stadium.
But the clinical dismissal of the Rebels on Saturday – who were kept scoreless for the final 60 minutes – will go a long way to boosting self-belief within the young Brumbies squad.
“It’s by far the best performance we’ve had,” White said of the bonus-point victory.
“We scored five tries, we had a lot of territory, a lot of possession and things that we did do at training we took into the match.
“But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.
“Things change in one weekend and look what’s happened.
“All of a sudden we’re again top of the table, but a couple of hours ago, at the beginning of the morning we weren’t.
“We know how quickly things turn.”
Almost halfway into the season, the Brumbies fly overseas firmly entrenched as the Australian leaders on 24 points, three ahead of both Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
It remains a surprise for a team that was largely written off in the pre-season, but White refused to place any finals expectations on his fledgling squad.
“It’s too early for that,” he said.
“I know it’s a cliche and I know coaches and players always talk about it, but all we’re focusing on now is the Bulls.
“I don’t think some of these boys know what’s coming.”
White reserved praise for lock Scott Fardy, who scored his first two tries in Super Rugby against the Rebels, and man-mountain forward Fotu Auelua – both were part of a significant reshuffle to his line-up.
The 120kg behemoth, who came to the Brumbies after a playing stint in Japan, was unlucky to have had a try disallowed in the first half of his first Super Rugby match, but White said his mere presence on the field had provided a great distraction.
The Brumbies leave for South Africa on Monday with four Super Rugby victories under their belt from seven matches. In 2011, it took them 17 rounds to notch as many.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.