Brumbies to claim tag of Super Rugby entertainers after high-scoring trial

The Brumbies put on a show for a healthy crowd of 2589 fans at Viking Park, running in seven tries in an entertaining clash with the Fijian Drua.

The visitors contributed to the high-scoring, free-flowing affair with a willingness to throw the ball around and crossed for six tries of their own

The Brumbies withstood an early Drua onslaught, the visitors racing out to a 28-7 lead midway through the first half. The hosts, however, slowly reeled their opponents in and ran over the top in the second half to secure a 43-40 win.

"If you look at the way we played over the last couple of seasons, we're always searching for space on the field," Larkham said. "The Fijians are a bit better than most teams at finding that space. We talk a lot about identifying that space and there were a couple of nice tries from turnovers where the opportunity presented itself and we took it.

"Hopefully we won't see 40 points against us through the season but it was a good game to watch. It's a really good fan base here, we had the women's game beforehand where they played an amazing game against the Hong Kong women and the support for that game carried into the men's game.

"The atmosphere that was here with fans on the field [after the men's match] and we offer that just about ever week at Canberra Stadium. It's quite unique for spectators to be able to get on the field, have photos and talk to the players and pat them on the back and interact with them."

Earlier in the day, the ACT Super W side claimed a 33-19 victory over Hong Kong China.

The fans in Tuggeranong lapped up the running rugby and the Brumbies hope more performances like that will see spectators return in droves to Canberra Stadium throughout the Super Rugby season.

The franchise has committed to reconnecting with the ACT community in a bid to revive crowds. Attendances grew in 2023 and Larkham knows his side must play an entertaining style to ensure crowds continue to grow this season.

Saturday highlighted the team's efforts to attack from anywhere on the field, Corey Toole provided multiple chances to showcase the speed that turned him into a crowd favourite last season.

A host of young guns had the chance to put their hand up for Super Rugby selection, Shane Wilcox, Declan Meredith and Matias Jensen all producing impressive performances.

There was concerning news for Larkham, veteran lock Cadeyrn Neville limping from the field with a hamstring injury early in the second half.

While there were plenty of positives from the first trial, Larkham is set to place a renewed focus on defence after watching his side concede six tries, including four in the first half.

The Drua pose a unique attacking threat, however, there is plenty of scope for improvement ahead of next week's second trial against the Western Force in Perth.

The Brumbies will welcome back a number of big names for the match, with a host of Wallabies sitting out Saturday's trial.

James Slipper headlines the list that includes Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Rob Valetini and Nick Frost.

Larkham was disappointed to concede 40 points, but said there were positive signs defensively from the first trial.

"We're bringing new stuff into the way we want to play, so we're always going to have teething issues, particularly when you have 33 players and multiple changes throughout the game," he said. "We'll review it, there's some stuff on the edge where the Fijians got around us a couple of times quite easily.

"In the second half we did a slightly better job of putting a bit more pressure on. There was more line speed in that second half through the middle of the field which put them under a bit more pressure and they made a lot more mistakes in the second half."

ACT BRUMBIES 43 (Billy Pollard, Hudson Creighton, Shane Wilcox, Lachlan Lonergan, Klayton Thorn, Angus Staniforth, Len Ikitau tries; Declan Meredith 2, Cullen Gray 1 conversions) bt FIJIAN DRUA 40 (Taniela Rakuro 2, Ilaisa Droasese, Jone Koroiduadua, Apisalome Vota tries; Kemu Valetini 4, Motikai Murray 1 conversion). Crowd: 2589 at Viking Park.