The ACT Brumbies conjured a stunning come-from-behind win in Pretoria to put some spark into their Super Rugby season. Here are the talking points.
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WHICH BRUMBIES WILL BE WALLABIES?
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will name his squad on Wednesday night for the three-Test series against Ireland in June.
Hooker Folau Faingaa faces a nervous wait to find out if he will be available after being sent off against the Bulls, while lock Rory Arnold isn't available until after the first Test following his suspension.
Fullback Banks has re-emerged as a contender, but has probably left his run too late. Tevita Kuridrani has timed his return to form perfectly, while Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, David Pocock and Henry Speight should also be included.
Joe Powell is on the fringes in the scrumhalf rotation, while Christian Lealiifano is also put up his hand as a back-up playmaker behind Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley.
BRAIN SNAPS AND DISCIPLINE
Folau Faingaa's headbutt was more of a love tap than a whack, but he still may be in hot water after being sent off in the second half against the Bulls.
The Brumbies' discipline as been one of their biggest problems this year, with poor choices and costly penalties coming back to bite them.
Faingaa was entangled with Bulls prop Mattys Basson in the 61st minute and went for a headbutt, which rightly resulted in a red card.
It was the second week in a row the Brumbies had a player sent off after Rory Arnold's high tackle against the Johannesburg Lions.
There was a sense of 'not again!' when Faingaa trudged off the field. But the Brumbies found a way to beat the odds and win despite having less men on the field.
They won the match. But it's a scenario they have to avoid for the rest of the season as they attempt to restore some pride.
AN EFFORT TO BE PROUD OF
Brumbies fans have been frustrated this year. So much so they've voted with their feet and have disappeared from the stands at Canberra Stadium after disappointing results.
But if they don't come back following the 38-28 win against the Pretoria Bulls, they'll never come back.
Yes, it was just one win. And yes, the defining moments occurred when most Canberra rugby fans were sleeping at 1am on Sunday.
But the guts and determination they showed when they defended for 20 minutes in the first half and then played the last 19 minutes of the game with 14 men was impressive.
The club has launched a 15-for-15 campaign in the hope partnering with charities and pledging to donate $15,000 if there's a crowd of 15,000 will encourage people to attend the clash against the Japan Sunwolves on Sunday afternoon.
It would be a massive turnaround from the Brumbies' last home game, when just 5000 fans watched their loss against the Melbourne Rebels.
It's been an underwhelming season so far and the Brumbies have won just four games. But they've shown the past two weeks they're taking steps in the right direction.
CROWD WOES NOT JUST A CANBERRA THING
Much has been made of the small crowds in Canberra this year, with the average attendance in danger of being the lowest in the Brumbies' history.
But the empty seats in the capital have been a small part of a Super Rugby wide issue. There were rows and rows of empty seats at the Waikato Chiefs' game against the NSW Waratahs in Hamilton and just 8189 fans turned up in rugby-mad Pretoria for the Brumbies win.
There is an appetite for good, running, attractive rugby. But the Super Rugby format has gone stale and it's time for change.
BANKS FINDS HIS FEET AND CONFIDENCE
Tom Banks is back and it's exciting to watch. The Brumbies' fullback has struggled to inject himself into games this season, but broke the shackles in two games in South Africa.
He scored three tries, including a brilliant solo effort that split the Bulls open and put the Brumbies in front at Loftus Versfeld.
It's a welcome sight for Brumbies fans, who have been waiting for the electric fullback to deliver on the promise he showed in a debut season last year.
"It's been a long tour, it was a hard effort last week but good to play some running rugby," Banks said.
"It comes down to confidence and belief. Even though we were down to 14 men n the end I think we just stuck to our structure and got the win in the end.
"I'm enjoying it, it was a big move for me to go down to Canberra but I'm loving it."
Maybe the dreaded second-year syndrome caught up with him. But it looks like he has found his feet and is ready to ignite the back line.
AT A GLANCE
Super Rugby: ACT BRUMBIES 38 (Kyle Godwin, Lachlan McCaffrey, Folau Faingaa, Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead tries; Christian Lealiifano 3, Wharenui Hawera 2 conversions; Christian Lealiifano penalty) bt PRETORIA BULLS 28 (Handre Pollard, Roelof Smith, John-Ben Kotze tries; Handre Pollard 2 conversions, 3 penalties) at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, on Saturday night. Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen. Crowd: 8189.
