1. Waratahs may be blowing their chance in a weaker competition
On the one hand, a Waratahs victory against the Fijian Drua would have capped one of the best comebacks in their Super Rugby history, but on the other they may be continually blowing chances in a competition that appears weaker this year.

The two New Zealand derbies on Saturday were middling affairs, with the Kiwis going through a post-World Cup transition year. But, they’ll get better so the time for the Australian sides to strike is now.

Plus, we already know the Waratahs are losing some experienced players next year – Lachie Swinton was really good off the bench in the Lautoka sauna on Saturday – and the window of opportunity for them might be smaller in 2025.

They are just one win outside the top eight, but the home advantage that plays such a critical role come playoff time is already slipping away.

2. Reds get (probably timely) kick up the bum
The Western Force beat the Reds “in the effort areas”, as Tate McDermott diplomatically put it on Saturday. That doesn’t relegate them from Super Rugby contender status. As outlined in item No.1, that’s not the way the competition is unfolding this year.

Only the Hurricanes have been consistently impressive so far – Super Rugby is as open as it has been since the ‘old’ format was broken up in 2020. In fact, Reds coach Les Kiss is experienced enough to know that a humbling experience for his side isn’t the worst way to prepare for the Brumbies next Saturday.

The Force shocked the Reds in Perth.Credit: Getty

Whatever tickets the Reds had on themselves before the Force game – and we, the media, are as guilty for pumping up their tyres – will now be gone, and the odds of Harry Wilson dropping two restarts again must be as short as him changing the colour of his headgear to sky blue.

3. Brumbies excel, but there’s always a but
There needs to be some context around the Brumbies’ big win against Moana Pasifika. Tana Umaga’s men have a lengthy injury list – Julian Savea is the latest absentee – and also chose to fly back to New Zealand from Perth this week, before making the trip to Canberra.