Zack Holmes threw down the gauntlet to Wallaby coach Robbie Deans last night in his Brumbies run-on debut in windy and bitterly cold Wellington against the Hurricanes.
But Holmes was hot.
One game isn’t a career, but it was a mighty impressive start with a match-sealing try, four from four conversions and three from four penalties for a personal tally of 22 points in the 37-25 victory.
Taking over the fly-half role from Christian Lealiifano, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle against the Waratahs a fortnight ago, the 21-year-old Holmes played like a seasoned veteran.
A new Brumbies signing this year, Holmes made his way to Canberra via the Western Force Academy and starring for the Australian Sevens team. The Australian capital will now be home for Holmes for as long as he wants to stay.
His selection for last night was another coup for coach Jake White, who has done a fantastic job with the Brumbies in his first year.
He has changed the culture of the franchise virtually overnight from insipid player-power that crippled the Brumbies and made them the laughing stock of Australian rugby, to a well-drilled, well-disciplined and consistent match-winning unit.
Last night was yet another example. Down 16-25 with 26 minutes left on the clock, the Brumbies piled on 21 unanswered points in 15 minutes with converted tries to lock Sam Carter, man-of-the-match flanker Michael Hooper, and Holmes.
Game, set, and match.
White is the undisputed boss and the roster is thriving under his strong leadership.
As a direct result, skipper Ben Mowen, another White-inspired selection, Carter and his lock partner Scott Fardy, Hooper, prop Dan Palmer, No 8 Fotu Auelua up front, and out the back Joe Tomane, Andrew Smith, Jesse Mogg, along with Holmes are genuine first-time Wallaby contenders.
The Brumbies already boast quality Wallabies in Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Pat McCabe.
Overall, that’s a binocular distance improvement over the last two seasons.
So the wheels will have to fall off dramatically to stop the Brumbies finishing the schedule on top of the Australian Conference and an automatic berth in the six-team play-offs.
They lead the Reds by 13 points with only five rounds to go. The defending champion Reds, with a game in hand, play tonight at Suncorp against the cellar-dwelling Lions and must post five points to stay in contention. Even then the ask is huge to topple the Brumbies.
They are riding high with a realistic crack at the title, thanks to the outstanding leadership of Jake White off the field, and Ben Mowen on it.
[Photo via brumbies.com.au]
M1chael
Guest
I don't know what everyone sees in Nic White. He is a good attacking scrum-half, no doubt. But he is far too inconsistant to be named as a Wallaby. Against the Hurricanes on the weekend, he missed 2 regulation tackles, at crucial times in the front line, kicked 2 balls out on the full and had one box kick from inside his own 22 which went 10m backwards. He needs to become more consistent if he wants to lead a Wallabies pack around the field...
jeznez
Guest
Gotcha - definitely agree there is a Uni disease in Tah land. Was unimpressed with two of theirs in Foley and Jenkins arguing with the referee last night. Elsom was pretty poor in that area as well but we can't blame uni for that.
Justin2
Guest
He we go again, what a load of BS. Can you show me the survey results where it says the NZ and SA pay for pride and Aussies for money? Such a lazy and crap argument that has no basis in fact...
Short-Blind
Guest
And for those reasons he should be given a crack as his skills set is better than Pocock (Defence & pilfer only).
sph45
Guest
Choakers
Guest
Joshy, agree. We are back to looking at every bright spark as a potential savour of Ozzie rugby. While I am not a Deans fan he is by no means fooled by the hype created bt the media. Our lads don't look at the Wallaby jersey as an honor (as the Kiwi's or African's do), it's money plain and simple. Consistent competitive rugby is what is needed and until we can procure that we will forever play second fiddle to NZ. Look at the reaction when we snapped the recent 10 game loosing streak to NZ e.g. we are world beaters again and the corner is turned. Yer, right. NZ lost the game, we didn't win it. Case in point is their demolition of us in the World Cup. A dismal loss. Finally, my last bitch. Let's hope Deans produces a better effort this year than the last few.
Peter Harley
Guest
Jeznez, My point about the Sandstone Castles and Colleges (otherwise known as Sydney University) is about the fact that the Waratahs has become Sydney University Ist XV and with due respect to the Rebels, they just beat Sydney University 2nd XV the other Saturday. The leper colonies of the north shore and northern beaches are recovering from their disease in other franchises. Warringah alone has a team of players in other franchises including standouts such as McCabe, Sheehan, Gerrard, Pyle and Fardy. While Manly, Eastwood, Norths and Gordon have been supplying players to other than the Tahs since the inception of super rugby. If you weren't from a GPS background and are on a UniSyd sporting scholarship, forget it. How is Jono Jenkins ahead of Hugh Perrett, (arguably the best All-round player in the Shute Shield ) and on a full contract. And how does Tom Kingston get ahead of Brackin K-R . Eh!
jeznez
Guest
Jams, you are probably right that McCutch will be on the outer - a back row with Hooper at 7 and a combination of Dennis, Lopeti Timani and Palu covering 6/8 doesn't leave him much shot of making the squad.
allsport
Guest
Deans couldn't put all his eggs in Genia's basket given how well White's playing. White came off the bench in last nights game & all the Brumbies points we're scored when he was on the field, White for me is the back the Brumbies can't afford to loose
Seiran
Roar Guru
White or Holmes? Deans would do well to have White on his coaching roster.
jameswm
Guest
Forget about McCutch. Can't believe the Tahs re-signed him. You have to wonder sometimes. I'd let Tilse go but hold on to Paddy Ryan. Tahs alkso need a good and reliable backup hooker because TPN makes himself useless so often. Ulugia has been decent ths year but how old is he? Let Hangers go. Get them bloody fit. Sign a cracker of a 10 or 12.
Justin2
Guest
Rossy was there well after you had gone. He is the former Wallabies and Brumbies flanker. Played with him and coached me in the late 90s early 2000s before going to Sydney to coach Souths 1st grade.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The name doesn't ring a bell. I played Colts from 91 through 94 and grade 95 through 97 inclusive, seven years down there in total. Once work started getting in the way I switched to subbies and played for Colleagues and am off-shore these days.
Justin2
Guest
Jez being a Rebels man were you coached by John Ross at any stage?
Who ate all the pies
Guest
Agreed Jeznez. Lord's assessment based on one outing is laughable. That said, Moore and Hooper in particular, also had good games and the Brumbies are to be congratulated on a vital win.
Joshy
Guest
Boy oh boy! Is it that easy to become a Wallabie? One super rugby game? Set your standards a little higher.
jeznez
Roar Guru
With Mumm heading offshore Sitaleki Timani will be the starting second rower with Kane Douglas next year. If Vickerman makes it back that may change. Tilse and Ryan should be looking - I think ideally the Rebels. The Tahs would be pretty keen to keep Ryan though I would have thought. Tilse has been in the squad for five years but doesn't look like dislodging Robinson and needs game time to develop. Fitz needs to prove he can last a few matches without getting injured. Alcock I feel for as Hooper is definitely in superior form and Alcock doesn't look to have the option of switching to another position like McCutcheon might.
Jagman
Guest
Hooper might be allowed the chance to play against Scotland depending on his citing for lifting Vito.
Jagman
Guest
Jeznez the Aru and Waratahs put a clause in Rocky's contract that meant he had to play a certain amount of games (or minutes perhaps) in his first year in order to enable his second year. Apparently it is already unlikely that he will fulfil the requirements and he's looking overseas. Which means McCutcheon must be going to blindside and Dennis to lock as they must of promised Dennis something because the Rebels were after him. Timani is already contracted to next year so they'll promise him something the year after. It seems the Waratahs are good at hoarding forwards for their squad. Tilse, Ryan, Fitzpatrick, S Timani, and Alcock could all conceivably find a super Rugby team in Australia where they could make the starting team.
jeznez
Guest
That was a gift - Fardy ran straight between two Canes defenders who just stood there looking at each other. Nice support line by Carter but that lad needs a bit more power, got knocked around a little too easily for a second rower - but he is young, I think he will develop nicely - especially if he can build power and keep his outstanding mobility.