The Brumbies have gatecrashed the NSW Waratahs' homecoming to Allianz Stadium, edging their Super Rugby Pacific rivals in a 31-25 win.
In their first game at the venue in five years, the Waratahs were caught napping at key moments and Stephen Larkham's Brumbies will head back down the highway with a hard-earned victory.
There was some solace for the 25,076 fans present on Friday night, who got to witness the debut of highly-touted teenager Max Jorgensen.
The 18-year-old, who became the youngest Waratahs debutant since Kurtley Beale, grabbed two tries in a promising maiden outing at the top level.
A late penalty from Tane Edmed gave the home side a losing bonus point.
"We were disappointed, we didn't play anywhere near our potential," Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.
"They choked us a bit and it pushed us into errors, we're a little flat because we had built up this game.
"I feel we missed a bit of an opportunity, but I think if there are positives is that we are nowhere near our best and got that bonus-point loss, we've just got to be better."
Crafty Brumbies No.9 Ryan Lonergan was the star of the show for the visitors, grabbing 16 of his side's points - including the opening try - before being subbed off for Nic White in the second half.
Lonergan got his side in the lead when he backed up a pinballing Tom Wright before Jorgensen levelled by supporting a rampaging Angus Bell to shrug off the tackles of Rob Valentini and Allan Alaalatoa to cross in the 15th minute.
Edmed added the conversion, but Bell's night was cruelled not long after due to a foot injury.
Lonergan and Edmed traded penalties before the hosts' fate took a twist just before halftime when they switched off at a Brumbies penalty.
Lonergan shaped to kick to touch on the near side before finding an unmarked Andy Muirhead on the other side of the field to make it 15-10.
"That's the beauty of Ryan, he reads the game exceptionally well and knows how to control the game," Larkham said.
"(His assist) was pretty freakish."
The halfback added two penalties after the Brumbies had a try chalked off for a foot in touch, with Jorgensen squeezing in at the corner to give the Waratahs hope of sealing a comeback.
Brumbies winger Corey Toole and NSW skipper Jake Gordon traded tries, but a missed conversion from Edmed allowed the visitors to maintain a buffer.
Noah Lolesio, who converted Toole's try, was able to add a further three points when Michael Hooper was penalised for not releasing at the breakdown.
Edmed was able to cut the deficit with a penalty goal in the dying stages to secure his side a losing bonus point.
"Most of the big games in this competition come down to the last 20 minutes and we were lucky enough to hold on," Larkham said.
"You're always going to make mistakes at the start of the season - our set piece wasn't great."
