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Israel Folau is renowned for his aerial brilliance, his ability to score and set up tries and the way he can so effortlessly turn defence into attack.
Last night at Suncorp he treated the 14,452 crowd to all of that and more, in a man of the match 52-41 defeat of the Reds, setting up a record points-scoring clash between two Australian franchises.
Folau scored two of the 15 tries, the first from a Bernard Foley kick-pass where the Waratah fullback took to the air to gather in-goal, the second turning a dangerous Reds chip kick into a 40-metre try of his own.
The only downside for the Waratahs was blowing a priceless bonus point from leading 40-19 with 30 minutes to go.
The Reds scored 22 points to 12 in that period by turning up the heat, while the Waratahs trod water.
So Super Rugby goes into the June international window break with the Waratahs leading the Australian Conference with 35 points to the Rebels’ 34 after the Melbourne-based franchise beat the Blues 20-10 at Eden Park, the first win by an Australian side over a New Zealand opponent on Kiwi soil in three years.
Suncorp produced the best of 80 minutes of running rugby that would have left Mark Ella and David Campese, two of the very best, salivating at the spectacle.
The Waratahs can thank Nick Phipps for turning in by far his best performance of the season.
Not once did he chirp the referee Angus Gardner, only once did he wave his arms around like a traffic cop on duty while the ball was at his feet.
He justified Wallaby squad selection by swiftly and accurately clearing set and loose play to allow Foley and Kurtley Beale to strut their stuff, often doubling around to set brilliant backline forays.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika was in the stand watching 15 of his squad to meet Ireland over the next three Saturdays play the way Cheika has always tried to project.
One of the new boys on the Wallaby block, Taniela Topou, was a standout.
The Reds prop has an almost square frame of 175 cms tall and tipping the scales at 136 kgs, with his immense power netting him a five-pointer from close range.
He’ll make his international debut against the Six-Nations grand slam champions, and will be around for some time.
Two who missed Wallaby selection stood out last night – the Waratahs wingers Taqele Naiyaravoro and Cameron Clark.
How Naiyaravoro missed out defies description as the most dangerous winger in the country.
He’s heading overseas shortly and that’s been given as the reason for missing out.
Not in my book. I’ve always been a strong believer in the only important Test is the next one, not any Tests in the future, just take the Tests one at a time.
On that basis, Naiyaravoro is one of the first picked every time.
(AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Clark has made the transition from top Sevens player to the 15-man game on the back of very strong attack and defence abilities. His time will come.
Next up the Irish, and the obvious bonus of the 9-10-12-15 Wallaby combination to beat the men in green.
Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau.
Genia has been injured and missed the last four weeks of Super Rugby, but he’ll be fit come next Saturday at Suncorp.
His understanding with those three playmakers is vital to success, as is Foley’s trusted boot.
Last night he landed six from seven attempts, most of them from wide out.
It’s important David Pocock survives today’s Brumby clash with the Sunwolves in Canberra.
The Michael Hooper-Pocock combo up front looms just as vital as the quality quartet out the back.
So buckle up Roarers, there are three weeks of champagne rugby to look forward to, and the perfect litmus test to see where the Wallabies stand in the world pecking order.