The ACT Brumbies' rotation policy added extra spice to a spiteful clash between the Tuggeranong Vikings and Uni-Norths Owls as Super Rugby players belted each other in a bid to earn a recall.
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The Vikings scored 21 consecutive points to fend off a passionate Owls charge in the second half to clinch a 28-12 win at ANU North on Saturday.
The Owls played 20 minutes with 14 men after having two players sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements while the Vikings finished the game with 13 on the field in a tense end to the game.
The Vikings were bolstered by the inclusion of three Brumbies - Ben Hyne, Nigel Ah Wong and Jordan Jackson-Hope - and the Owls got a chance to unleash wrecking ball Lolo Fakaosilia.
Fakaosilea didn't hold back against his Super Rugby teammates, nailing Hyne and Ah Wong multiple times in an audition to win back his Brumbies spot.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is using a rotation policy this year to keep his fringe players motivated and give them a clear pathway back into the team.
It adds extra importance to the John I Dent Cup and is set to benefit clubs as they chase a premiership.
"You're a target for every other player, when you get on the field everyone wants to hit the Brumbies players," Hyne said.
"But we don't mind getting stuck into each other as well so it's good to see.
"With the rotation policy you know that no matter where you're playing or whatever jersey you're wearing, you're trying to stamp yourself for selection. And we know the coaches are watching club football."
The Owls bravely defended in the opening stages of the round-three match and found a way to level the score at 7-7 despite having almost no field position.
But the Vikings hit the lead before half-time and then went on a 21-point run to give themselves some breathing space.
The Owls were fighting to restore pride after a round-one 76-12 thumping at the hands of Royals last weekend and they refused to give in despite trailing 28-7.
Vikings outside centre Andrew Robinson was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle and less than a minute later winger Max Ravouvou was sent off for punching Owls prop Max Bode.
It gave the Owls a small glimmer of hope and Bode scored not long after, but it was too little too late.
"For us, we looked like we were on holidays last week so to be in the contest [against the Vikings], that was really encouraging," said Owls coach Dan Hooper.
"It was about being physical and really trying to stamp some aggression in the game. After we did that, we started to create space.
"But we couldn't get enough possession during the game to capitalise on that."
In the only other match of the weekend, Royals continued their early-season rampage to smash the Gungahlin Eagles 44-3 at Nicholls Enclosed.
Royals, the 2015 John I Dent Cup champions, have now scored 120 points and conceded just 15 in two games in an ominous warning to their premiership rivals.
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND THREE
Saturday: TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 28 (J Sotogi, I Tonga, J Vejoda, J Jackson-Hope tries; I Thompson 4 conversions) bt UNI-NORTHS OWLS 12 (I Fa, M Bode tries; S Irwin conversion), ROYALS 44 bt GUNGAHLIN EAGLES 3 at Nicholls Enclosed.
