Wearing an ACT Kookaburras heritage strip the Vikings came from behind against Queensland Country to prevail 48-40 in a 13-try thriller at Viking Park on Saturday afternoon.

Powell is in contention for a Test recall when the Wallabies face South Africa in Perth next Saturday and the Vikings scrumhalf did his chances no harm with a standout 77-minute shift.

The 23-year-old was man-of-the-match and it wasn't his only award for the day as Powell went on to collect the Brumbies' Best Back and supporters choice award - Stallion of the Year - at the Brumby Ball.

Vikings' flyhalf Hawera enjoyed a stunning afternoon with the boot kicking 7-9, including a 76th-minute penalty that pushed the lead past a converted try.

Hawera also found himself on stage at the Brumby Ball collecting the Shawn MacKay award for the most outstanding new talent in 2017.

Brumbies skipper Sam Carter put in strong showing against the man who took his Test spot, Izack Rodda, and praised Powell and Hawera for controlling proceedings to see out the win.

"They've formed a nice little combination there over the Brumbies' season and it's nice to see them carry it over into the NRC," Carter said.

"Every time they scored, we scored, it was a pretty see-sawing event out there but it's good to get a game under our belt and we'll be better for it next week."

It was free-flowing attacking rugby from the opening whistle after both teams burst out the blocks with and neither led by more than a try before hitting the sheds locked at 26-26.

Country opened up a 14-point lead with two quick-fire tries after the break, before the Vikings came storming back into the contest with three unanswered tries.

Hawera coolly slotted the only penalty-kick of the game to secure the win with three minutes left on the clock and Vikings coach Tim Sampson said it was a great way to kick start their season.

"We fell behind but the boys dug their heels in for the second half and I thought Wharenui controlled the game really well, his game management was excellent," Sampson said.

"Joey was very good as well and that was his first game in a fair while, so to get that many minutes out of him was a fair effort.

"There's a lot of confidence in the group now, with the short preparation you're unsure of how things will go in the first game, but an early win in this competition is crucial for that confidence."

Queensland Country coach Brad Thorn said it was an opportunity lost for his men after failing to make the most of their second half lead.

"I hate scorelines like that, 48-40, to me that's mickey mouse stuff. You can't score 40 points and not win a game of footy, you can't get two tries in front and allow a team back in," Thorn said.

"In the second half the Vikings managed to get the better of us in the last 20 with a bit more experience and it's now just a fast learning curve for our boys.

"The defence isn't where it needs to be, it's been a weakness for this team in the past years and it's got to change otherwise we're going to have a frustrating year and not win many games."

Sampson disagreed with Thorn's take on the scoreline.

"I'd prefer to see 48-40 then 7-3, I think it's entertaining rugby, defensively it's not great but there was some good footy out there today, I enjoyed it," he said.

AT A GLANCE:

Canberra Vikings 48 beat Queensland Country 40