The best Australian effort of the weekend came in a losing effort in Christchurch. That may reflect a sad reduction in our expectations of Australian teams with talent now spread too thin over five sides, but it is true.

The Brumbies, minus hundreds of recently departed Wallabies caps (and Tomas Cubelli) were admirable for long periods against the Crusaders. Scott Fardy was tireless, Joe Powell added real fizz at No.9, new signing Nic Mayhew was powerful, and they scored a terrific team try finished off by Rory Arnold.

They may or may not kick on from here – the Crusaders look like they could struggle in the New Zealand conference – but the pride in the Brumbies' performance was palpable and that alone gives them something to build on.

​2. Tolu Latu shows the talent is yet to be fully tapped. 

The Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu is a good player when he listens to the angel on his shoulder. His problem has been that all too often he is in conversation with the devil on his other shoulder, not just week to week but within games themselves.

But on Saturday night against the Force Latu had close to his most influential game for the Waratahs, particularly at the breakdown where he was the most influential player on the park.

The Waratahs were passable. Home fans must have been filled with a sense of dread when they saw the weather and the opposition but they completed the job despite being well below their best. Their most obvious flaw at the moment is the lack of a big ball carrier at No.8, and they must be counting down the days until the return of Jed Holloway.

3. Judgments on the Reds must wait.

There were enough flaws in the Reds performance for their fans to hold back from enthusiastically embracing the new/old side. They were promised the return of thoroughbreds but instead the Reds looked like startled horses in a paddock.

However, they did look effective when they simplified their game, using Samu Kerevi to get over the advantage line and then using their big forwards to pick and drive.

Clearly, there is some physical prowess in the side both in the pack and among the outside backs but they will be looking for a bit more control from Nick Frisby and Quade Cooper as the weeks go by. The pieces of their jigsaw are currently scattered. 

Early days: It's too soon to make a call on the Reds, but Quade Cooper will need to take more control of the team. Photo: Bradley Kanaris

4. Tony McGahan is a coach under pressure.

This is no knee-jerk reaction to the heavy loss to the Blues – the Rebels were not good last year and their inability to stop points is a major concern. As is the way for coaches who need a break, the tide appears to be against McGahan.

The Rebels have a very tough opening schedule – they have to face the Hurricanes in Wellington next week – and they are without their talisman player Sean McMahon. That said, they need to find some resilience defensively because the Hurricanes showed in their destruction of the Sunwolves that their offloading game and running lines are exceptional.

Mitch Inman's voice was also badly missed against the Blues on Friday night – without him and former All Black Tamati Ellison the Rebels midfield looks well down on authority. 

Under pressure: Rebels coach Tony McGahan. Photo: Kai Schwoerer

5. Direct Force show some promise.

In a way the rain in Sydney suited the Force – it allowed them to turn it into a scrap and the men from Perth showed plenty of attitude. However, there were also signs that they will trouble a few sides if they are taken too lightly.

From No.9-No.12 they have some hard runners – Jono Lance is the most direct, confrontational No.10 in the country – and they will get in behind a few sides this year. They'll actually be disappointed with the Waratahs result after a promising first half, but while they showed the fruits of a good pre-season from a physical point of view, it may take time to learn how to win games; their next shift has to be mental.

However, I'm already seeing more wins than last year's terrible campaign – Adam Coleman was nice and physical on Saturday night.

1. Nic Mayhew (Brumbies)

2. Tolu Latu (Waratahs)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)

4. Rory Arnold (Brumbies)

5. Will Skelton (Waratahs)

6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies)

7. Chris Alcock (Brumbies)

8. Scott Higginbotham (Reds)

9. Joe Powell (Brumbies)

10. Jono Lance (Force)

11. James Dargaville (Brumbies)

12. Irae Simone (Waratahs)

13. Samu Kerevi (Reds)

14. Reece Robinson (Waratahs)

15. Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs)