The losing streak and try drought is over, but ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says his players need to be realistic about their progression for a crucial clash in Argentina.
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The Brumbies will chase consecutive wins for the first time in two months when they play the Argentina Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning Australian time.
They scored their first try in 230 minutes last weekend, ending a four-game losing run and stabilising their shaky Super Rugby hopes.
But Larkham says the Brumbies will slip again if the players fall into the trap of thinking they have repaired the cracks of a limping season.
"We need to be realistic about where we're at," Larkham said.
"The guys have worked really hard over five weeks for one win. But we need to make sure that we don't let ourselves down by taking our foot off the pedal.
"We'll keep pressing. Have we turned the corner? No, not yet. But we'll keep trying to work that out through effort rather than just thinking we're there."
Larkham has opted to stick with combinations this week, benching his rotation policy to pick the same game-day squad for consecutive games for the first time this season.
That means Tom Banks will retain the fullback job while Aidan Toua settles on to the wing after playing all but two of his games in the Brumbies' No. 15 jersey.
"I think it worked really well [last week], Aidan gives me a lot of confidence when he's on the wing with all of his talk," Banks said.
"He brings a lot of energy and that's awesome for the team. It's so good to rely on him and Henry [Speight], it gives me confidence to do what I do in attack."
Banks and Toua both scored tries last weekend to give the Brumbies a much-needed confidence boost after a lean six-week period.
Flanker Chris Alcock played a pivotal role in his return after being rested, and the journeyman is keen to build on his performance.
Alcock, 28, has played nine of the Brumbies' 11 games this season. It's the biggest workload he's had in five years, showing he is capable of filling the hole left by David Pocock.
"I've had a few injuries and things like that. In previous years I haven't had a lot of consecutive games, so I did need a rest to look after my body," Alcock said.
"We've got a long season so the key is managing workloads to make sure everyone is available as much as possible and I think rotation has worked for us this year.
"We don't want to be complacent going into this game. We know the Jaguares are a very good team and if we go in relaxed, we'll get caught with our pants down."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 14
Sunday: Argentina Jaguares v ACT Brumbies at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, 7.40am. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1.
Brumbies team: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Aidan Toua, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Andrew Muirhead, 23. Andrew Smith.
Jaguares team: 15. Joaquin Tuculet, 14. Ramiro Moyano, 13. Matias Orlando, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11. Baustista Ezcurra, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martin Landajo, 8. Leonardo Senatore, 7. Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6. Tomas Lezana, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Matias Alemanno, 3. Ramiro Herrera, 2. Agustin Creevy, 1. Lucas Noguera. Reserves: 16. Julian Montoya, 17. Santiago Garcia Botta, 18. Enrique Pieretto, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Javier Ortega Desio, 21. Gonzalo Bertranou, 22. Juan Martin Hernandez, 23. Matias Moroni.
