A one-off cameo from a Western Force recruit helped the Canberra Royals break through for their first win of the John I Dent premiership.
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Hooker Robbie Abel was a welcome addition to the Royals line-up as they hammered the Uni-Norths Owls 52-13 at ANU North Oval on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was back in Canberra this weekend while his club side in Perth had the bye, taking the opportunity to lace up the boots for the Royals.
Having cut his teeth in the Brumbies Academy, Abel had a season with New Zealand side Northland in the ITM Cup last year before signing with the Force for this season.
While he has yet to break into the club's match-day 23-man squad, Abel is enjoying the experience of being around a Super Rugby team.
"I love it, it's always great to be in a professional environment,'' Abel said.
"I'm building on the things I learnt at the Brumbies last year and also at Northland.
"I always enjoy being back in Canberra and I had the opportunity to play for the Royals so it's good to get a bit of game time.''
Abel's work in the line-outs and the scrums put the Royals' forwards on the front foot as they overcame an early 8-7 deficit.
From there, the Royals ran in 26 unanswered points to put the match beyond reach before crossing for a couple of late tries to blow out the margin.
With Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher looking on, No.8 Lachlan McCaffery and Japanese international, inside centre Harumichi Tatekawa, had strong games for the Royals to continue to press their claims for a Super Rugby call-up, while blindside flanker Steve Sione scored three tries in an impressive performance.
Scrumhalf Michael Dowsett and mid-season recruit, flanker Tom McVerry, also received valuable game time for the Owls to keep themselves ready if the Brumbies pick up any injuries.
The Royals went within a whisker of upsetting powerhouse Tuggeranong Vikings in last year's grand final.
However, they started their season with a 38-17 defeat to the Queanbeyan Whites a fortnight ago.
Royals coach Russell Ingram believed that defeat kicked his side into action after admitting they were a little bit underdone heading into the season.
"The pre-season preparation wasn't great, so we needed that loss against Queanbeyan to get us focused,'' Ingram said.
''Having McCaffery and Haru play today brings a little bit of composure to the team.
"It was a good effort from the whole club.''
In other games, Tuggeranong snuck past Queanbeyan 20-17 on Thursday night and Gungahlin hammered Wests 43-18 at Gungahlin Enclosed on Saturday.
John I Dent Cup: Tuggeranong 20 bt Queanbeyan 17 at Viking Park on Thursday night. Royals 52 bt Uni-Norths Owls 13 at ANU North Oval on Saturday. Gungahlin 43 bt Wests 18 at Gungahlin Enclosed on Saturday.
