Talking points: Fainga'a try and rolling mauls add Brumbies flavour

So it's only natural the Brumbies brought out the goods in their 28-23 victory over the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby decider on Saturday night.

Fainga'a joined an elite club of players who have scored more than 10 tries in successive Super Rugby seasons, the 25-year-old hooker becoming only the fourth player to do so.

Moments after barreling into a helpless photographer, Fainga'a barreled over the southern line to score his fifth try of the Super Rugby AU season.

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Combined with the five tries scored before the COVID-19 shutdown, it sees the Wallaby hit double digits this year.

But of course there was the predictable complaining of the Brumbies being one trick ponies with Fainga'a's scoring off a rolling maul.

But as Brumbies great George Gregan told Fox Sports pre-match: "It doesn't matter how you win. It doesn't matter if it's pretty. It's a grand final."

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was hoping to celebrate his 24^th birthday with a Super Rugby AU title but the Queenslander spent it in the casualty ward instead.

The Reds lock suffered a head-knock in the opening minutes of the second-half, awkwardly clipping Lachlan McCaffrey in defence.

He looked like he may have lost consciousness as he lay on the field for several minutes, before walking off and failing a head injury assessment.

"It was disappointing for him but sometimes that happens," Reds coach Brad Thorn said.

"He's had huge growth this year and has been a wonderful support for Liam [Wright]. He'd be disappointed about that happening because he wanted to play that full 80 and try to get the result."

The head-knock came after the Wallaby had his ankle heavily strapped early in opening minutes of match, having come out of a tough tackle with Allan Alalaatoa.

The Brumbies victory saw Pete Samu keep his perfect record intact, with the No.8 having never lost a Super Rugby final.

The 28-year-old made a crucial tackle with only four minutes remaining, handing the Brumbies a penalty for Hunter Paisami losing his feet.

But 'Pistol Pete' came off second best in the tackle, taking a hard hit from an air-born Paisami. It meant Samu missed the final minutes of the Super Rugby AU decider, exiting the field for a head injury assessment.

The roar of a 6000 capacity-crowd felt worlds away from the Super Rugby finals of old, but these Brumbies fans stuck by through one of the most challenging years in the competition's history.

Surely there's no tougher fans in the world. The Brumbies' bunch sat through scorching heat, bushfire smoke and sub-zero temperatures at Canberra Stadium this year.

But on the balmy spring evening, they finally found their sweet spot.

It was a mild 17 degrees at kick-off and barely a Reds fan in sight, the perfect environment for a final on home turf.

Brumbies captain Allan Alalaatoa was grateful to win for local community, saying the crowd helped push them through to the end.

"It was huge, it felt like we were playing in front of a full stadium," Alalaatoa said.

"When our backs were against the wall with five minutes to go, they really brought us home there. It was a great time for us to get that win for our fans and those who couldn't come out tonight.

"We're grateful for the support here in Canberra and we were happy to be able to win for them as well."

Former Brumbies Sam Carter, Matt Giteau, Scott Fardy, George Gregan, Rory Arnol and Joe Roff had virtual messages of support played before the match - adding their voices to the thousands in attendance.

AT A GLANCE

Super Rugby AU grand final: ACT BRUMBIES 28 (Folau Fainga'a, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks tries; Noah Lolesio 2 conversions; Lolesio 2 penalties; Lolesio field goal) bt QUEENSLAND REDS 23 (Harry Wilson, Angus Blyth tries; James O'Connor 2 conversions; O'Connor 3 penalties) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Angus Gardner.