'Pass me my basting brush': Commentator responds to Suaalii 'glazing' accusations

Super Rugby Pacific rocketed out of the blocks at the weekend.

In fact, it's hard to remember a more exciting opening in the competition's rich history.

Two games were decided after full time, another pair involved memorable comebacks and the last was a grand final rematch with similar intensity.

Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match ad free, live and on demand

With the exception of the trademark madness in Suva, crowds were steady and hugely vocal.

Who knows folks, this rejigged 11 team format might just work out after all.

All right, time for our week one rapid recap and we'll get it started in Sydney.

READ MORE: NRL's top 50 players: Origin skipper, breakout stars picked

READ MORE: Baby Brumbies make history with comeback win

READ MORE: Suaalii's huge call on Super Rugby after mixed debut

THAT'S AMONE

'Sifa' Amone was NSW's hero after the bell to help secure an out-of-jail win against an impressive Highlanders outfit.

The giant prop has the potential to develop a cult following in Sydney after his two try performance.

He's dropped a remarkable 25kg from his frame after doing away with 'comfort' food and running himself into the ground during the pre-season.

His turn of pace for try No.1 was shockingly good but his breakout game came as no surprise to those in the Shute Shield who've been watching his rise with Norths for years.

Outside of rugby, Amone's favourite activity is sleeping.

Man after my own heart.

TO GLAZE OR NOT TO GLAZE

I've got to say I was amused to see the Stan Sport commentary crew accused of 'glazing' during Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's Waratahs debut.

I was also massively confused given the only 'glazing' I've done recently was while using an apricot and chilli flake baste on a Christmas ham.

Turns out it's also a popular online term for 'over praising' and 'over-complimenting.'

Someone help me, please, because I thought these were the facts going in.

Suaalii is the highest paid player in Super Rugby and the literal face of the tournament here in Australia.

Suaalii was player of the match in his Test debut vs England.

Suaalii was returning to his former NRL home ground, this time in a Waratahs jersey.

Suaalii was mobbed by kids on the short walk from Rugby Australia to Allianz Stadium.

There were a number of NRL stars cheering on their old teammate.

NSW Origin guns Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu, together with Roosters Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase, were all warmly adopted by Tahs fans on the night.

I'm sure over time the hype will level out for the humble fullback, but for now, pass me my basting brush.

I'm simply going to enjoy the fact we have a drawcard superstar playing weekly in Aussie rugby.

'BABY' BRUMBIES LAND BRAVE WIN

The ACT Brumbies' defeat of the Fijian Drua on Saturday has to be remembered as one of their best ever.

It looked a near impossible task for them to open the year with a win when you factored in the following.

Twelve hours of travel to Suva.

Conditions which were 32 degrees but felt like 39.

A number of their Wallabies contingent back in Canberra, a host of debutants and a scoreline that saw them down by eight with 20 to go.

On top off all that, no Aussie side had ever won on the island. Enter Luke Reimer.

After passing an HIA test and returning to the field, the brilliant on-baller forced turnover after turnover and bagged a pair of tries to set up the improbable win.

It was some effort and sure to keep him front of mind for Joe Schmidt after making his Wallabies debut last year.

Reimer and the Brumbies' tanks were so empty by the time the final siren went in Suva, most were too exhausted to even lift their arms in celebration.

It'll be fascinating to see how things play out next week for Stephen Larkham's squad.

Most teams struggled the week after visiting Fiji last year on the back of it being the toughest road trip in Super Rugby.

WESTERN WONDER FINISH

Who would've thought the Waratahs' last second win would be eclipsed just a day later by the Western Force, who took till the 84th minute of play to get their victory.

I've been calling Force games from Perth for 14 years now and this has got to be up there as one of the most memorable victories I've seen in that time.

In fact, Sea of Blue fans may have it top five in the history of the club.

With just six minutes on the clock, the Force were down by 13 versus a brilliant Moana Pasifika outfit.

They also had a man in the bin and their scrum was on rollerskates.

There was no way back for Simon Cron's men it seemed.

This one looked done.

Then, however, there was hope.

Force debutant Dylan Pietsch barged over and crucially, Ben Donaldson landed a tricky conversion.

The margin was now six with three minutes to play.

With 23 seconds to run, the home side was awarded a penalty on their 22.

They kick to touch and then go on a side to side passage of play which lasts an astonishing 26 phases!

They hardly advance the ball, but they exhaust the defence and then BAM, Donaldson takes off from 70 out.

He careers away, lands the conversion, wins the game and he does it all on one good leg after injuring himself earlier. Wild.

It was a head-spinning victory against a Moana team who looked really, really good for huge chunks of the game.

Two try winger Kyren Taumoefolau was a standout in a game that saw Ardie Savea lead them for the first time.

REFS GET IT RIGHT IN ROUND ONE

The Stan crew were visited by new Aussie refs boss, former Waratahs scrumhalf and Super Rugby champion Brendan McKibbin in the lead up to the season starting.

'Kibbo' explained the refs would be vigilant on blatant time wasting and tactical 'injuries' - the idea being to minimise 'dead time' in the game.

Their application of existing laws were also with a lens to keep things moving.

From my viewpoint, they did an outstanding job across the weekend on that front alone.

It led to more adventure from sides going up tempo, best highlighted by the Highlanders' quick line-out which led to a try from 50m out.

More of the same please guys and girls, it was terrific.

FANTASY GOES PAST 50K MANAGERS

Fans have been screaming out for Super Rugby fantasy and their dreams came true on the weekend.

There are leagues popping up all over the place, the functionality is easy enough and it's simpler to understand.

It's also hugely addictive.

Congratulations to the geniuses who used their 'one time only 3 x points booster' on Damien McKenzie vs the Blues.

D Mac went off and the managers who picked him were doing backflips.

If you're keen on joining the Between Two Posts vs Rugby Heaven league, where Michael Atkinson (Atkos Avengers) are currently giving it to Matt Burke (Burkeys Barracudas), then click here.

BIG WEEK ON BTP

We'll see you tonight on the Stan platform with our weekend review and Donaldson and Reimer are both checking in on BTP Extra tomorrow.