The Brumbies can book their finals ticket if they fix this surprise weakness

The Brumbies are again Australia’s Super Rugby pacesetters after notching an opening night win over the Reds.

And the scary thing for their rivals is that the team’s biggest strength is yet to fire.

Dan McKellar’s side were good enough to overcome a 17-7 halftime deficit to run out 27-24 winners in 39 degree heat as bushfires raged around Canberra.

The two Tom’s, Wright and Banks, scored classy second half tries although Reds young gun Isaac Lucas will feel sheepish with his defence when Brad Thorn rolls out the review tape.

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The Brumbies were pre-season favourites to retain their Australian conference crown and so a home win over the improving Reds was expected.

What didn’t go to script was their all Test front row — Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper — getting bossed by the Queenslanders.

Taniela Tupou, in particular, had his way with his Wallabies teammates, giving McKellar and Laurie Fisher a clear focus ahead of round two against the Rebels.

“The biggest thing for the Brumbies is going to be their set piece now, just getting their scrum and lineout right,” former Wallabies hooker and captain Phil Kearns said on Fox Sports.

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“There was some clear weakness there tonight so if they work on that they’re going to be in the finals again.”

Thorn, meanwhile, was bitterly disappointed at letting such a golden opportunity slip through his meaty paws.

The Reds feel they are due finals rugby after a rebuilding job and the youth of the squad is off limits as an excuse.

Wallabies and Queensland legend Tim Horan was one of many observers impressed by debutant Harry Wilson but felt new captain Liam Wright lacked a touch of leadership support.

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“I think the Reds can be pretty proud of their effort tonight,” Horan said on Fox Sports.

“The young players — Harry Wilson is a great find, isn’t he, at No 8.

“(James) O’Connor, (Jordan) Petaia, in the centres together.

“I just think they probably lacked a little bit of composure and leadership in that second 40 minutes whereas the Brumbies, you had Pete Samu, you had other guys around him (captain Allan Alaalatoa) — Joe Powell, showed a lot of leadership in that second half.

“So a great performance by the Brumbies and that’s the start they wanted.”