The Brumbies season was heading for life support before the remarkable victory over the Blues in Auckland

To provide an example of how important the victory over the Blues was to the Brumbies season on the weekend, it’s worth considering that on the 2024 ladder the top three teams, including the eventual champions the Blues and the Brumbies, only lost two games through the season.

This season, after two losses across the first three games, the Brumbies could have been in trouble had they fallen to the Blues.

At times during Friday night’s 21-20 victory by the Brumbies, it felt as if the floodgates were about to open.

After all, the Brumbies had conceded on average 42 points a game so far this season and they were without key players Noah Lolesio and Rob Valetini.

This, of course, was coupled with the fact that Australian teams historically appeared to be hit with kryptonite every time they played a New Zealand team at Eden Park.

The Brumbies hadn’t won there since 2013; it has been a graveyard for the team.

But the Brumbies showed on Friday night that they weren’t burdened by history.

Down 20-10 at the break, it was looking ominous for the Brumbies. But something special happened in the second half as they turned the game on its head.

There was speculation that coach Steve Larkham stripped the paint off the walls in the Eden Park dressing rooms, particularly as the Brumbies had conceded two runaway tries in the space of a couple of minutes to give the Blues the lead into the half-time break.

Then they ran out for the second half …

Culture is often hard to define within professional sports teams, but a winning culture within a club is easier to understand.

This was evident for all to see as the Brumbies fought their way into a winning position before sealing the 21-20 victory with a 79th minute penalty goal.

The Blues, without star player Beauden Barrett, looked disjointed in attack in the second half while the Brumbies defence lifted.

The Brumbies weren’t at their very best though, with players such as Tom Wright yet to hit the form he has shown in his prime over the past two seasons.

He was well marked on Friday night but his contribution was well up on the game against the Western Force.

Ryan Lonergan again proved that he is the Brumbies’ number one half back as his delivery and guidance proved to be decisive.

He is wasted on the bench.

I can understand what Steve Larkham is trying to do with all players given game time to provide valuable experience, but with the season hanging in the balance, the best players need to be selected.

Another aspect that needs improvement is the uncontested box kick, which is so telegraphed that it is only occasionally effective.

The Brumbies set the template for other Australian teams playing their New Zealand opponents with strong aggressive defence and a set piece that didn’t crumble under pressure.

A case in point was the final scrum of the game, which resulted in the crucial penalty.

The challenge now will be to keep it growing.