The ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs top the Super Rugby Pacific standings after bonus-point wins in the opening round of the competition.
The Brumbies were impressive in a rampant 56-24 win over the Western Force, while the Waratahs beat the Queensland Reds 36-12.
The Brumbies welcomed the return to fitness of dynamic forward Charlie Cale after he starred with two tries in the eight-try win over the Force in sweltering heat in Perth on Saturday.
Cale was playing his first competition match for nearly a year, the athletic back rower showcasing his speed and footwork to match the double scored by flyhalf Declan Meredith.
The pair shone as the Brumbies won the second half 42-14, showing no signs of fatigue in heat-sapping 35°C temperature.
Coach Stephen Larkham was particularly impressed by 25-year-old Cale, whose 2025 season ended after suffering a back stress fracture just four games in.
It was a blow after the lanky loose forward had debuted the previous year for Australia, in two Test wins over Wales.
Larkham said he sensed Cale was back near his best when he crossed for a hat-trick of tries in a pre-season match against the Waratahs.
“He’s significantly underdone in terms of match fitness and match readiness, but we know how dangerous he is,” Larkham said.
“He’s really good through the middle of the field and dangerous on edges and outstanding in the lineout.
“We know there is a lot of potential with him and we didn’t get much out of him last year, so it’s great to see him on the park and playing so well.”
Argentina Test lock Franco Molina scored on debut for the Force, who crossed for three tries.
The Brumbies will face the the defending champion Crusaders in Christchurch next week.
Elsewhere, the Chiefs beat the Blues 19-15 in a tight New Zealand derby at Eden Park.
REPORT: Miracle leads the way for Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika upset the Fijian Drua 40-26, handing the home side a first defeat in Lautoka for more than two years.
The Crusaders opened their title defence with a late 25-23 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
REPORT: Joseph’s Highlanders edge Crusaders
Round 1 results
Highlanders 25 Crusaders 23
Waratahs 36 Reds 12
Fijian Drua 26 Moana Pasifika 40
Blues 15 Chiefs 19
Force 24 Brumbies 56
– AFP
Photo: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
