ACT Brumbies scrum packs a punch in bid to lure Super Rugby fans back

The Brumbies' forward pack was instrumental in setting up a 39-26 win over the Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

So dominant were the hosts at the scrum time that the majority of the 7098 who had filtered through the turnstiles erupted into a roar whenever a scrum was to be packed.

It perhaps didn't quite mirror the cheers that went up for Noah Lolesio's flick pass or deft grubber, or Pete Samu splitting the Rebels' line in a 50-metre dash.

But their early dominance of the Rebels pack was a welcome sign given it came a week after they were outclassed by the Queensland Reds on their home turf.

"Last week we weren't happy with our set piece, it's definitely a growth area for us. In terms of being a tighthead and being at the front of the pack, we took that step forward there," Alaalatoa said.

"We just need to continue to build on that. Last week we came up against a quality side who dominates up front in the set piece.

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"We knew that was going to be the same challenge against the Rebels. They have some international players in their forward pack and in their backline, so it was a growth area for us.

"The boys came out well and grew from last week. There's always room to improve and get better. That's something to look back on in review from that game and move forward."

Coach Dan McKellar is confident the Brumbies "will get better again" at the set piece having won four scrums to three, with the two sides conceding three scrum penalties apiece.

The numbers aren't going to blow many away, but the fashion in which they heaped pressure on the Rebels in the opening exchanges was vital as the Brumbies raced out to an insurmountable lead.

Though the hosts certainly didn't come through unscathed - Scott Sio played just 20 minutes before coming off following a head knock, Tom Cusack lasted just five more minutes before suffering one of his own.

Sio came off second best in a collision with Rebels No. 8 Isi Naisarani, slowly trotting back into the defensive line before regathering his senses to rock Marika Koroibete and Billy Meakes.

It was only a matter of time before he would be replaced by James Slipper - a man with 91 Wallabies caps which highlights the luxury of McKellar's front-row stocks.

Yet the Brumbies mentor will have a headache or two to contend with this week given Cusack followed Sio off the park five minutes later.

The Australian conference favourites have an eight-day break working in their favour with McKellar launching a call to arms ahead of their clash with the Otago Highlanders next Saturday.

"Tommy is a little bit dusty. I spoke to Scotty at halftime and he seemed okay, we've got an eight-day turnaround which is nice," McKellar said.

"We'll go through the protocols there and make sure they're right to go. If they're not right to go, someone else will get an opportunity. We've got good depth in both those positions."