EVEN though Julian Salvi and Clyde Rathbone are extremely unlikely to play with the ACT Brumbies next year, Andy Friend still couldn't keep away from ANU Oval yesterday.
The Brumbies coach watched intently as Salvi's Tuggeranong Vikings thrashed Rathbone's Uni-North Owls 53-12 in the John I Dent Cup.
And it was Salvi who delivered a perfect reminder of what the Super14 club would miss next season.
The versatility of the back-rower was on display as he directed play and scored two tries in the 41-point romp.
Salvi is expected to exercise a get-out clause and play in Europe or Japan after the Brumbies signed Wallabies flanker Rocky Elsom last week.
But the 23-year-old insists there is no ill feeling toward the Brumbies organisation.
He was expecting Elsom's arrival and said the best way for him to move on was to ply his trade with the Vikings for the rest of the Canberra season.
''Two weeks ago was quite tough but I suppose I've gotten over it and I'm looking towards the future now,'' Salvi said.
''I love coming back and playing some good club rugby. It's fun and I'm just happy to get back to the grassroots and [to be] playing with some of my old schoolmates.''
The nine-tries-to-two win confirmed the Vikings' return to their powerhouse standing after they finished sixth last year.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times
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