'So proud': Baby Brumbies make history with comeback win over Drua
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The ACT Brumbies have made history by becoming the first Australian team to beat the Fijian Drua on their home soil.
Flanker Luke Reimer was outstanding for the Brumbies, giving Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt a timely reminder of his abilities.
After passing an HIA and returning to the field in steamy Suva, Reimer won two late breakdown turnovers and scored two late tries to clinch a memorable 36-32 win on Saturday.
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The Brumbies celebrate after a try during the round one Super Rugby Pacific match. Getty
It continued a strong start to Super Rugby Pacific, with the two Friday games also entertaining, high scoring shootouts.
"We fixed things on the run," Brumbies captain and try-scorer Ryan Lonergan said.
"Drua put us under a lot of pressure. They were outstanding on that bobble ball which we gave them a lot of and they made us pay.
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"But our set piece there at the end really got us back in the game and a couple of good tries to Lukey Reimer there - I'm sure we won't stop hearing about. He was on fire out there in that second half."
The victory was all the more impressive given Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham fielded six debutants.
He was without Wallabies Rob Valetini, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost and Charlie Cale for various reasons.
Corey Toole of the Brumbies runs with the ball in Suva. Getty
"We're going to take a bit of a risk and we're going to travel to Fiji without the bulk of our Wallabies contingent," Larkham told reporters before the game.
"The other players have trained exceptionally well. There is a real connection in the team at the moment. If I compare this season to last, I think we're in a slightly better place."
Austin Anderson, Feao Fotuaika, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Lington Ieli, Judah Saumaisue and Kadin Pritchard made their debuts as Larkham's gamble paid off handsomely.
"So proud, to be able to play six debutants, and they go out there and show that kind of heart at the end to be able to claw back that deficit - it's a credit to them," Lonergan said.
"They worked so hard through the pre-season, they've just been grinding behind the scenes and for them to now get the chocolates at the end - yeah, so happy."
Australian teams are now 2-0 in round one after the Waratahs pipped the Highlanders 37-36 on Friday.
The Brumbies will host the Force in round two while the Drua will visit the Hurricanes.
"Bernie's (Larkham) spoken a lot about having the ability to just adapt," Lonergan said.
"The game of rugby's never perfect, so you've just got to be able to adapt on the run."
The Drua were hurt by first half yellow cards to Isikeli Rabitu and Vuate Karawalevu and had to play with 13 men at one stage.
Brumbies 36
Tries: Reimer 2, Pollard, Sapsford, R Lonergan, van Nek
Cons: Lolesio 2/4, Meredith 1/2
Drua 32
Tries: Karawalevu 2, Kuruvoli, Loganimasi
Cons: Muntz 3/4
Pens: Muntz 2/2
