The Brumbies' goal kicking had been woeful this season with a 30 per cent strike rate – but Hawera, who ousted Lealiifano in a "kick off" at the game rehearsal on Friday, nailed five from six with two coming from the halfway line and beyond.
Joe Powell a threat with ball in hand
You've got two options – kick the ball 30 metres down field and find touch, or you can be a threat in attack and split the defence around the ruck.
If that's what McKellar said to his scrumhalf, Powell obviously wanted to take the second option.
The 23-year-old looked threatening amongst a pack of tiring forwards and laid the platform for winger Henry Speight to score his 13th try in 24 games against South African opposition.
While every Powell dash didn't result in points, it was certainly a much more enticing option than a kick. Powell put the defence in two minds and offered some spark to the Brumbies offence.
Brumbies see yellow
Twice the Brumbies were down to 14 men. Once the Sharks scored. Christian Lealiifano says that shows just how resilient the Brumbies are.
Flanker Lachlan McCaffrey and tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa both spent time in the bin as the penalties stacked up against the hosts.
It took some time but when the Sharks did fight their way back into the contest through Thomas du Toit they did it from close range, thanks to weight of field position in their favour.
For a 10 minute period it was all the Sharks – the visitors had stolen the momentum with the Brumbies down a man. It's something McKellar's outfit can't afford to do against the competition hevayweights.
Even Henry Speight was jumping in to help with the scrums.
First half rugby, second half grind
There is plenty to like about a new look Brumbies outfit as the club looks to recover from the its first consecutive Australian derby losses in almost three years.
The attack showed glimpses of promise in the first half, enough to suggest getting the likes of Henry Speight and Tevita Kuridrani in one-on-one situations could see the Brumbies rack up plenty of points.
Winger Lausii Taliauli enjoyed a solid return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while McKellar's other fresh faces added some x-factor.
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But with a new attack comes a need for patience – the Brumbies had all the ball but could only add two tries to one.
The second half turned into a grind with Hawera's super boot ultimately relied on to get the Brumbies across the line in their first home game of the season.
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Caden Helmers is a sports reporter for The Canberra Times
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