ACT Brumbies women's players were scrambling to practise their signatures this week after being shocked by the fans who lined up to watch their Super W debut last week.
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Now they want to repay their supporters with the team's inaugural win and they've added Wallaroos Kate Brown and Georgia O'Neill to their squad to boost their hopes of beating arch rivals NSW on Saturday.
More than 1500 people watched the Brumbies' opener at Canberra Stadium last week, with fans lining up before gates were open to take advantage of a $5 ticket offer and a chance to see history.
Wallabies and Brumbies champion David Pocock was the team's waterboy for the first game of the new competition, but it was signing autographs that shocked the players.
"It was pretty surreal. I think it shows how big this competition is going and the growth in women's rugby," said scrumhalf Jane Garraway.
"I think rugby has always had a lot of interest, but Super W is pushing and growing it with a lot of other people, especially younger girls.
"It was one of the first times a few girls [have signed autographs], but it was a pretty good experience knowing you're inspiring other young girls to start playing rugby."
The women's side and the Brumbies' academy program have also helped pave the way to repair a broken bridge in Canberra rugby circles after the team finalised a major sponsorship coup on Wednesday.
The Brumbies women will have ActewAGL as the sponsor on the back of their jerseys for the rest of the year and the deal is a massive step forward for the two organisations after a frosty two-year period.
ActewAGL has not been a Brumbies sponsor since an Canberra rugby war erupted in 2016, with relationships pushed to breaking point.
But the parties have forged a new partnership, led by a commitment to women's sport.
"It's wonderful to be back with the Brumbies ... ActewAGL has had a strong commitment to women's sport over the last 20 years and this is the next step," said corporate affairs director Paul Walshe.
"It was disappointed when the partnership fell apart. I've been working with [Brumbies chief executive Michael Thomson] for the past six months in trying to get back together.
"We support the Raiders, the Capitals, the Giants and we should support the Brumbies as well."
The Brumbies are still working to fill their sponsorship portfolio for the Super Rugby season, with the club expected to sign more major partners in the coming weeks.
The club is also investing in its women's program and will likely consider another $5 ticket offer to entice fans to get to Canberra Stadium early to watch the Super W-Super Rugby double header on April 7.
"It was a great turn out last week, there were 1500 people through the gates early which is unusual for Canberra. There's clearly an appetite to support and watch women's rugby," Thomson said.
SUPER W ROUND TWO
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Warringah Park, 3pm. Live stream on Fox Sports.
Brumbies team: 1. Anna Korovata, 2. Louise Burrows, 3. Peta Cox, 4. Kate Brown, 5. Charlene Gubb, 6. Jess Howard, 7. Georgia O'Neill, 8. Shellie Milward, 9. Jane Garraway, 10. Ash Kara, 11. Dracy Read, 12. Cecilia Smith, 13. Paremo Marsh, 14. Talei Wilson, 15. Michelle Perry. Reserves: 16. Emerena Aviga, 17. Violeta Tupuola, 18. Merrin Starr, 19. Michaela Leonard, 20. Tayla Stanford, 21. Remi Wilton, 22. Kiara Meredith-Brown, 23. Samantha Wood.
