Nic White had seen the right foot step and the pinpoint cross-field kicks.
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But Bayley Kuenzle remained something of an unknown beyond YouTube highlights and a conversation with coach Dan McKellar before White's ACT Brumbies homecoming.
What he has found since is the perfect foil - a calm head at flyhalf to couple the "highly strung" scrumhalf in the Brumbies' Super Rugby AU championship run.
White and Kuenzle will start together for the first time in a top of the table showdown with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.
It marks the Brumbies' fifth halves combination of the year in a run that has featured Joe Powell, Ryan Lonergan and White at scrumhalf, while Kuenzle and Noah Lolesio at No. 10.
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They come together for a 2418 kilometre match day round trip to Queensland against a Reds outfit for what may prove to be a grand final rehearsal.
It goes without saying Test veteran White isn't one to be overawed by the occasion in his first start for the Brumbies in more than five years. As for Kuenzle, while he might be missing the Wallabies caps his teammate has, but there can be little doubt he is ready for the challenge.
"He's pretty laid back, not a whole lot gets to him. Really good 10s have got that cool head, he's a calm and collected guy, not much fazes him," White said.
"I like that, I'm a little more highly strung at the nine position, and I like having a guy outside me who is cool and calm. We balance each other out nicely.
"He's a great 10, a really good communicator, sees the game really well. With every minute in the saddle, he is just getting more and more comfortable.
"When you're training with the squad, you're training with all 10s, and with all the nines here, we've got a number of different combinations that could come out in that nine-10 jersey.
"We're comfortable with whoever goes out there. He's going from strength to strength with the more time he gets and it's exciting. I'm lucky I'm the one picked this week to feed him the ball.
"It's a big week for us, the Reds are a really good side, it's going to be tough going up to Queensland on the same day. They're all things teams can use as excuses but we see them as challenges. We're excited to take it on."
Injured flyhalf Noah Lolesio is in the frame to make his return from a hamstring strain for the final on September 19, with a "will he or won't he" debate set to hover over club headquarters in the coming weeks.
The Wallabies hopeful's absence gives Kuenzle another chance to shine when he pulls the strings for a side which has scored more tries than any rival.
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa says White's injection into the starting line-up brings a change of tempo which could pave the way for Kuenzle to put the Reds' defence on the back foot and unlock the 22-year-old's potential.
"BK is more in his shell, your typical young player who works hard behind the scenes. Whitey is obviously a bit of a loudmouth, he's full of confidence," Alaalataoa said.
"He comes home and thinks he's the man. He's been good for the boys, he has slotted straight in with the crew, obviously a lot different squad compared to last time he was here. He brings a lot of experience and tempo to our game.
"Getting an experienced nine is going to help BK. BK has been in good form, having Whitey inside him is only going to give him more confidence to play his natural game."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND 10
Saturday: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies in Brisbane, 7.20pm.
Brumbies squad: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Solomone Kata.
Reds squad: 1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O'Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Jock Campbell. Replacements: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. JP Smith, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Hunter Paisami.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
