Homegrown footballer Jacob Kara (pictured) received a harsh a rugby lesson on Thursday night.
The 20-year-old assumed the flyhalf position for an ACT XV that opposed a Brumbies first choice lineup in a trial at the South-Canberra suburb of Greenway.
As expected, the two-time Super Rugby champions prevailed. What wasn’t expected, however, was the magnitude of the Brumbies’ victory.
Kara’s teammates tried in vein as their more esteemed opponents racked up 66 points. Despite the margin, the ACT XV – a team of promising players from Canberra’s top tier competition - kept the Brumbies try-less for the opening quarter of the match.
Once Anthony Hegarty crossed the white strip for the first time, the figurative flood gates opened.
New Brumbies coach Jake White gave plenty of credit to Kara and his one-off teammates.
“I was impressed with the way that they took it to us in that first half, they were aggressive at the breakdown and competed well all over the park,” the 2007 World Cup winning Springboks coach said.
“In the second half I was impressed with the way they held their structure under pressure.
There weren’t too many chances for them to attack but there was no panicking which was reassuring.
“At the end of the day these guys are our extended playing group, there is plenty of talent there and it is a good sign for rugby in the ACT.”
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