They have closed the gap significantly but the big city Waratahs must still bow down to the Brumbies following a 27-20 Super Rugby loss in Canberra tonight.
A late NSW try to athletic No.8 Will Harris gave the Brumbies a scare after they had led 24-6 at one stage.
But Dan McKellar’s well drilled side held its nerve to go 3-0 behind strong performances from flanker Rob Valetini, lock Nick Frost and halfback Nic White.
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Darren Coleman’s Waratahs, meanwhile, are 1-2 but clearly on the right track following last year’s unmitigated winless disaster that included an embarrassing 61-10 loss to the Brumbies in round two.
“When you stick a mitt out to DC, Darren Coleman, do you say: not yet, young bull?” former Brumbies and Waratahs lock Justin Harrison asked on Stan Sport, drawing a chuckle from McKellar.
“They’re building aren’t they? They’re clearly a very different side,” the Wallabies forwards coach said.
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“They’re a good coaching group now and they’ve got a lot of good young players.
“I’ve said it all week, we need a strong Waratahs for the good of Australian rugby and they’re certainly doing that. They’re going to challenge a lot of teams this year.”
The unbeaten Reds and Brumbies now occupy spots two and three on the combined ladder behind the title favourite Crusaders.
“We know the Australian teams are trying to accrue points now because the Kiwi games are coming later,” former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said.
“Brumbies are right up there, Reds are right up there and they are building nicely.”
Valetini opened the scoring after just five minutes and the outstanding flanker later laid the groundwork for a Frost try to make it 17-6.
Irae Simone’s sweet stepping run then opened that seemingly unassailable 24-6 advantage but, as they had against the Reds the week before, NSW refused to quit.
Mobile prop Angus Bell continued his try-scoring spree before Harris then set up the grandstand finish – and a typically resolute Brumbies response.
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