The Plus500 Brumbies have comprehensively defeated the Waratahs 38-11 at GIO Stadium to get back in the winners' circle and reclaim top spot on the Vodafone Super Rugby AU ladder.
26 unanswered second-half points including two tries a piece from Pete Samu and Tom Wright saw the Brumbies home, the side playing some stunning rugby despite the icy Canberra conditions.
The visitors had the first opportunity to put points on the board eight minutes in, however, number 8 Jack Dempsey failed to control the ball, fumbling it over the try line.
The home side would soon return serve, opening the scoring through scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan, who dived on an outstanding kick directed in the Waratahs in goal by halves partner Bayley Kuenzle at the 14 minute mark. Lonergan converting his own try for a seven point buffer.
The Waratahs were next to add points with young flyhalf Will Harrison kicking a penalty goal in the 19th minute.
Kuenzle would soon get his second try assist of the match, hitting a pinpoint kick to find an unmarked Andy Muirhead, who scored in the right-hand corner.
The Waratahs again took the three points on offer for the next score with Harrison slotting another penalty goal, narrowing the Brumbies lead to six with 11 minutes remaining in the first half.
The visitors began to gain some momentum in the match and Dempsey would eventually get his try, after being assisted by hooker Tom Horton. The Brumbies taking a narrow one-point lead into the interval.
The Brumbies came out the blocks firing in the second stanza and an outstanding cut out pass from Irae Simone found a wide Pete Samu, who crossed for the first five pointer of the second half. Lonergan would add the extras.
Soon after the home side were in again, with returning Brumby Nic White sending a bullet pass out to Tom Wright for a try on the left wing, his seventh of the season.
Kuenzle added the extras with an outstanding kick from the sideline, giving the Brumbies a 26-11 lead 53 minutes into the match.
Wright celebrated his re-signing this week in style, crossing for his second try after Simone put the winger in space.
The Brumbies now had a commanding 20-point lead and with less than 10 minutes remaining Samu would cross for his double, this time in the right-hand corner, showing off some outstanding footwork to stay in the field of play.
Kuenzle would kick another outstanding conversion from the sideline, resulting in the home side running out 38-11 winners.
The side now sit two points clear on the ladder with a game in hand.
Plus500 Brumbies 38 (T: Tom Wright 2, Pete Samu 2, Ryan Lonergan, Andy Muirhead; C: Ryan Lonergan 2, Bayley Kuenzle 2; def NSW Waratahs 11 (T: Jack Dempsey; C: ; P: Will Harrison 2)
