Five things we learnt from Brumbies-Drua

The ACT Brumbies were pushed all the way by the Fijian Drua but held firm for a 43-28 win in Canberra.

The Drua fought back from a 19-0 deficit and looked set for a major upset when they pressed the hosts' line in the final quarter.

However, the quality and experience of the Brumbies' side proved the difference as they head to the top of the ladder for at least the next 12 hours.

1.HOLDING ON

Stephen Larkham might not have any fingernails left but he must be proud of the fight the Brumbies showed to withhold a red-hot Drua outfit.

With 20 minutes to go, the Drua had all the momentum and peppered the hosts’ line with a barrage of attacks.

However, the Brumbies constantly had the answers necessary to either hold them up or force the crucial mistake. They were asked to make over 100 more tackles but held strong to find a way to win.

It wasn’t pretty but it’s the signs of a world-class team: bend, don’t break, reminiscent of their Super Round win over the Blues.

They’ll enjoy a well-deserved bye before a brutal away trip to Wellington against the Hurricanes.

2. THE REAL DEAL

As for the Drua, they proved they are a serious finals threat

They refused to give up and eventually dragged the best team in Australia into the type of game where they thrive.

Teti Tela was instrumental in this, straightening the line for a try just before the break followed by a perfect cross-kick to set up Iosefo Masi.

Mick Byrne’s side will be frustrated they didn’t close it out and the coach expressed his frustration at the penalty try, however, can take a world of confidence into the bye.

3. THE CLOSER

Nic White showed the value of a quality closer with three key moments of magic.

It started with ten minutes to go with a perfect grubber to trap the Drua inside their 5-metre line.

When Mesulame Dolokoto tried to run over the half, White put his body on the line to force him out. From the resulting lineout, the hosts proved unstoppable, leading to Damon Murphy running to the posts for a penalty try.

He sealed the win with a circus ball between the legs to O’Donnell to claim a late bonus point.

Credit must also go to Luke Reimer, who produced two clutch turnovers in the final minutes to seal the win.

4. BOD SQUAD

Ben O’Donnell showed off the remarkable depth in the back three in the nation’s capital with an eventual first quarter.

He has returned from Ireland a composed finisher, which was on full display in the 3rd minute when he straightened up and finished off, delighting a group of punters who likely had a small penny on the winger to cross first given their reaction.

Whilst he was denied a second minutes later for a forward pass, the bounce of the ball went his way in the 12th minute, completing the hat-trick with an aerobatic effort with seconds left.

O’Donnell has underrated pace and finishing ability from the Sevens days, picking up where good mate Mac Hansen left off.

5. INVITING CHAOS

With the Brumbies leading 19-0, they allowed the Drua back into the contest with some sloppy play.

Darcy Swain came up with the key infringement, giving away a soft yellow card on their goal line. It’s his fifth card in the space of 13 months and a part of his game that needs to be eradicated if he wants to contend with a red-hot Wallaby lock group.

Andy Muirhead follows him in an all-or-nothing type play at the breakdown, allowing a clinical Drua to build play the type of up-tempo football they enjoy.

They can't afford to do this against the likes of the big Kiwi four as the season winds down