Coronavirus crowd lashes out at penalties as Brumbies beat Rebels

Fire worries have been replaced by coronavirus concerns. The searing heat has given way to the icy winter. And the state of emergency is over, but the Brumbies are just getting warmed up.

The roar of a crowd was replaced by the thwack of a tackle as the Brumbies beat the Melbourne Rebels 31-23 on Saturday night.

The 1500 fans were still adjusting their blankets and finding their socially-distant seating when Andy Muirhead launched himself into the air for the first try of the game after two minutes.

It's hoped more will be in the stands by the Brumbies return to Canberra in August for their next home game, and even more if they get to host a finals match in September.

Because in this time of uncertainty, one thing has been consistent: the Brumbies are the real deal this year, even if the Rebels almost stole the match in a tense end.

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The apparently temperature dropped below zero in the second half, a stark contrast to having fans sweat when round one began on January 31.

It seems the Brumbies have been unfazed by the challenges thrown at them this year, refusing to slow down despite an almost four-month break between games.

They've now won six of seven games this year and 13 of their past 15 since hitting form last season. It's hard to argue with those tipping them to be Australian champions in a coronavirus domestic competition this year.

We're only one game into a three-month season and there are so many more unknowns to come, but the signs were good.

Folau Fainga'a's silky ball to Muirhead for the first try was a brilliant set-piece move, Noah Lolesio carved up the Rebels' defence and rookie fullback Mack Hansen had some classy touches in his second game.

The ACT Chief Health Officer will make a decision this week about whether to increase the large-gathering attendance figure after setting 1500 for week one.

The number could be closer to 5000 by the time the Brumbies play their next home game. It's no secret the Brumbies have struggled to get people in the stands over the past few years, slumping to near record-low numbers.

But if ever there was a time to jump on the bandwagon, it's now.

Collective boos were replaced by individual voices, but referee Angus Gardner's whistle made sure the 1500-strong crowd yell in unison.

The Brumbies' scrum was punished all night, giving away four first-half penalties and a few more after the break despite having a three Wallabies front-rowers and a Test hooker in their pack.

They struggled to adjust to Gardner's interpretation of the dark arts and the Rebels won the battle of the big men.

But the relief finally came with five minutes to go, Gardner giving the Brumbies their first scrum penalty of the game when the contest was still up for grabs.

It was fitting Matt To'omua was able to reach his 100-game milestone in Canberra. The coronavirus shutdown flipped the draw and led him back to the venue he starred in 89 games as a Brumby.

He clearly holds a special place in the hearts of Brumbies fans, who cheered when his name was read out over the loud speaker.

The flyhalf is one of the most considered and respectful players in any Australian sport.

But the game was as much about his opposite number, Noah Lolesio, as it was about his century.

Lolesio is the new kid on the block and he showed the early-career praise hadn't gone to his head with another classy performance in just his seventh game.

Lolesio justified his selection in an extended Wallabies squad and ran the ball like a little master. Next challenge: battle To'omua for the Wallabies' No. 10 jersey.

The one thing Lolesio can still improve is his goal-kicking. The Brumbies scored five tries to two, but the game was still on the line in the closing stages.

The Brumbies have often been criticised for their use of the rolling maul, but coach Dan McKellar will be more concerned about what happened at the other end of the field.

The Brumbies conceded just their second maul try in two years when Rebels hooker crashed over in the second half.

Hardly reason for panic after a win. But you can bet McKellar, a hard-nosed prop in his playing days, will be working overtime to fix it.

Speaking of mauls, Fainga'a scored his sixth try in seven games this year. Many will think they've come from maul moves, but they'd be wrong. The hooker is scoring open-play tries. Who'd a thunk it?

Meet Joe Powell - the forgotten man in Australian rugby's scrumhalf search. You might remember him as the unlucky Wallaby, strung along for three years but never really given an opportunity

New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie might have taken notice of his comeback performance on Saturday night, firing a timely reminder after being left out of a players of national interest squad.

Powell was in the thick of the action in the first half, throwing some great short passes and scoring a try of his own.

The off-contract No. 9 is set to leave Canberra at the end of the season to make way for the incoming Nic White, but it's surprising he's still being overlooked for the Wallabies.

He made his debut in 2016, but has played just three more Tests since despite being in most squads.

The former Australian under-20s representative hasn't been given a chance to prove himself at Test level, given short and sharp opportunities behind Nick Phipps.

The only way for him to force his way into Rennie's first squad is to do what he did against the Rebels. Surely someone will take notice.

AT A GLANCE

ACT BRUMBIES 31 (Andy Muirhead, Joe Powell, Folau Faingaa, Tom Wright, Will Miller tries; Noah Lolesio 3 conversions) bt MELBOURNE REBELS 20 (Jordan Uelese, Dane Haylett-Petty tries; Matt To'omua 2 penalties; 2 conversions) at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. Referee: Angus Gardner