Momentum ... The Brumbies will start the season on a high. Source: AAP
The Brumbies and Reds will go into their Super Rugby season-opening clash in very different moods after their final trial matches.
A dream return to Super Rugby looks certain for Clyde Rathbone, with the former Wallabies winger scoring two tries in the Brumbies 38-7 win over the ACT XV on Friday.
Rathbone, who retired from professional rugby in 2009, had both his trademark corner-finding speed and the slick hands of Christian Lealiifano to thank for his tries.
Coach Jake White said Lealiifano looked dangerous every time he touched the ball.
''I thought (Matt Toomua) played really well, as well,'' White said.
''He was brave, he took the ball to the line ... and that's probably why Christian was allowed to get so much movement.''
The injury-free hitout will give the Brumbies ample confidence going into next week's season opener against the Queensland Reds, however they were not pushed to their limit in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Viking Park.
The Brumbies did get an early scare when their backline bombed a certain try from 15 metres out.
ACT XV winger Stephan Van Der Walt swooped on the loose pass from Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg and raced 85 metres to the tryline.
But the lead was shortlived and the traffic was then all one way for the Super Rugby side.
David Pocock kicked off his Canberra rugby life in style when he dived off the back of a rolling maul from close range to level the score.
Lealiifano then busted a tackle just past halfway, before drawing the fullback to send Mogg over the line in the 16th minute.
The floodgates looked to open when Rathbone scored in the 22nd minute, but the ACT XV dug in and prevented the Brumbies crossing again until after halftime, when Stephen Moore and Nic White both scored from close range.
Scott Sio made a strong bust up the middle in the 56th minute before he was brought down. But in a quick recycle of the ball, Lealiifano flicked the ball out to Rathbone who scored the final try of the night.
Coach Jake White wouldn't say whether Rathbone would start next week's match, but said he had proven he was still up to Super Rugby level.
''He's still got it,'' White said.
''I have no hesitation in, if I have to announce him, that I don't think he's good enough. It just means that him, Henry (Speight) and Joe (Tomane) have to push hard for those two wing positions.''
While in Queensland the Reds suffered their first trial loss in three years on Friday night - falling 20-8 to the Super Rugby champion Chiefs - but there were some rewards on the Sunshine Coast.
Halfback Ben Lucas and flanker Ed Quirk - sized up to fill the boots of Will Genia and Scott Higginbotham for round one - were among the most impressive players at Stockland Stadium as the Chiefs came from 8-0 down to win.
And Queensland's oft-maligned scrum were dominant for the first hour as their starting pack dictated terms in the set-piece.
But without their big three of Wallabies skipper James Horwill, general Genia and pro-boxing playmaker Quade Cooper, the Reds struggled running into the wind as the Chiefs put on a 20-point second-half burst in front of 4692 fans.
All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden showed he'd lost none of his zip from 2012 and combined brilliantly with his backline while the home side were let down by poor handling under pressure.
The Reds have lost only one pre-season game under Ewen McKenzie - back in 2010 against the Western Force in Perth - and they were well in the game at 10-8 down with 10 minutes left.
But an Albert Anae mid-way fumble - one of many running into the wind - was the spark for a counter-attacking raid finished by Augustine Pulu.
Winger Aseli Tikoirotuma then sealed the result in the dying minutes.
There was no shortage of feeling between the 2011 and 2012 champions, highlighted by nasty scuffle on the ground between the team's littlest men in Ben Lucas and Aaron Cruden.
The Reds had the wind at the backs in the first half but it was their set-piece dominance which laid the foundations for an 8-0 lead at the main break.
Queensland have boasted one of the best lineouts in the competition in recent seasons but it was their scrum which led the way.
But it took the home side until the 38th minute before Liam Gill, who pick and drove for two five-pointers in last week's trial win against the Blues, crossed for the opener, again from close range.
Skipper James Slipper produced the biggest play of the first half with the last - producing a huge front-on tackle on Sam Cane to save a certain try.
Despite the loss, Slipper ended the match in laughter when told Cooper was victorious in his bout against Barry Dunnett - thanks to a first-round knockout.
''Is that a joke?'' he asked. ''That's a bit of a surprise.''
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