NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has rated the win over old club ACT Brumbies as one of his best following the five-point victory.
It broke a 13-game streak against the ACT side as they leapt into the top four to the delight of a strong Allianz Stadium crowd.
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"It's right up there," McKellar said post-game about where the game rated.
"We've got to experience these things together as a group. We're a new group, so we can get in there now and sing the song and have a couple of beers together, and that's just another memory.
"I often talk to them about memories and the importance of them and we've created a really special one tonight.
"We'll talk about 20,500 people at Allianz Stadium against the Brumbies in a couple of years' time. It's one of those games that will stick with you for life."
The Waratahs' motivation was high after a 20-point defeat to the Queensland Reds last weekend, with captain Hugh Sinclair admitting there was extra fire behind their performance.
“We had our integrity questioned throughout the week and that’s a tough thing to have as a rugby player and a rugby club," he said post match.
"A lot of people wrote a few things about us, and we responded pretty well.
“I’m just proud of the way that we stuck in there and fought.”
For McKellar, the Waratahs coach was most proud of how the unsung heroes stepped up.
They lost Dave Porecki before the game with a minor calf complaint, joining Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the sidelines.
"There's a bit of a myth that we've got this superstar team and if you go through that team tonight... you've got guys that have played one or two games for the club," he explained.
"We're down to (third choice hooker) Julian Heaven and he does a job. Ben Grant has played a couple of Super games, Teddy Wilson is in his first start. That's Lawson Creighton's third game (as a Waratah), Joey Walton has had injuries and what's Henry O'Donnell played, three or four games?
"Really proud of those young players to step up, and it's going to be a challenge for the older players that are out, and there's a lot of quality that are out to get back in the team."
