Did you miss out on booking a Valentine’s Day dinner? Well, you’re in luck, because the ACT Brumbies just served up a feast of rugby action to kick off their Super Rugby Pacific season against the Western Force in Perth. If you missed the thrilling match, don’t worry—you can relive all the highlights in our detailed recap at the bottom of this page. But here’s where it gets controversial: are the Brumbies truly the best program in Australia, or is their success just a fluke?
The energy was palpable as soon as Declan Meredith stepped in front of the cameras, with teammate Luke Reimer’s voice echoing down the hallway, urging, ‘Fill the void, ‘Dec’, fill the void, mate!’ Meredith, tasked with filling the No.10 jersey, didn’t just meet expectations—he exceeded them. Fast forward 48 hours, and he’s not just filled the void; he’s redefined it. Leading the Brumbies to a stunning 56-24 victory over the Western Force, Meredith scored a double, proving Stephen Larkham’s decision to start him over Wallabies flyhalf Tane Edmed was a masterstroke.
‘People weren’t sure about the Brumbies, and talked about the players that aren’t there,’ ex-Wallaby Morgan Turinui noted on Stan. ‘Every season, we wonder if they can keep it up, and they always do. They’ve made the semis four years in a row for a reason.’ Turinui didn’t hold back, boldly declaring, ‘It’s the best program in Australia, and there’s a reason why.’ But is it really the best, or are other teams simply underperforming?
If you were betting on standout players in the opening round, Charlie Cale and Meredith would’ve been top contenders. And they delivered, both scoring doubles in a bonus-point win. Cale, returning from injury, silenced doubts about his troublesome back with a trademark try down the touchline, set up by fullback Andy Muirhead. ‘I thought [Cale] was really good,’ Larkham praised. ‘He carried exceptionally well and was effective across the park.’ Yet, some critics argue that Cale’s performance was more about the Force’s weaknesses than his own brilliance. What do you think?
Meredith’s charge through Brandon Paenga-Amosa to put the Brumbies ahead was a highlight, especially after the Force initially raced to a 10-0 lead. Meanwhile, Rhys van Nek stepped seamlessly into the boots of injured captain Allan Alaalatoa, though his debut was marred by a late yellow card. Despite this, the Brumbies sealed the deal with tries from Cale and Ollie Sapsford, flying home with a bonus point.
The road ahead isn’t easy, with a trip to Christchurch looming in round two. While their performance against the Force wasn’t flawless, the Brumbies have set a high bar. But here’s the real question: Can they maintain this momentum, or will they falter under pressure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do the Brumbies deserve their title as Australia’s best program, or is there room for debate?
