The ACT Brumbies started 2017 with a thumping win, but the result was overshadowed by a devastating injury blow that could force Lausii Taliauli to miss the entire season.
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The Brumbies beat an Australian Barbarians invitational side 59-0 at Viking Park and showed signs they've still got plenty of strikepower despite the departure of some of their biggest stars.
But Taliauli's injury left a sour taste in the mouths of players and coaches after the powerful winger was left rolling on the ground in agony just 30 minutes into the pre-season fixture.
A devastated Taliauli left Viking Park in a knee brace and has a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury. He will have scans this week to determine the extent of the damage.
If Taliauli has ruptured his ACL, he faces a nine-month stint on the sideline which would keep him out of action until almost the end of October.
It's a cruel blow for the lightning winger, who was well positioned to earn a regular starting spot in the back line for a breakout Super Rugby season.
Instead, he's hoping scans will give him good news and keep him in contention to play a role this year.
"It will hit the whole squad because Lausii is a key member and everyone respects what he can do," Larkham said.
"He's put himself in really good physical condition and it's very disappointing for him to be able to work so hard into this position and potentially lose it all [for this year]."
The Brumbies will get winger reinforcements this week when Nigel Ah Wong returns to Canberra after a playing stint in Japan.
But unknown rookies Andrew Muirhead and Jamie Kotz got their chance against the Barbarians and they made the most of their opportunities.
Muirhead moved to the capital at the end of last year for a chance to train with the Brumbies while Kotz is an ACT junior and is rated as one of the fastest players in Canberra's club competition.
Both scored tries as the Brumbies tested new combinations in scorching conditions, with the temperature rising to 35 degrees just before kick-off.
"Andy Muirhead needs special mention, I don't think he put a foot wrong," Larkham said.
"He was outstanding in attack, we saw some really good strong carries and he was good defensively. He was really smart.
"Kotz has genuine gas and I was very happy for him to get his chance as well."
Teenager Mac Hansen got his chance to step on to the field at fullback in the second half while Wharenui Hawera looms as the front-runner to full the Brumbies' vacant playmaker role for the Super Rugby campaign.
The New Zealand flyhalf took on the kicking duties and looked comfortable in a back line also boasting Brumbies first-gamer Kyle Godwin.
Hawera won a contract before Christmas after impressing in a pre-season training stint and he could step in to fill the void left by Christian Lealiifano (illness) and Matt Toomua (England).
"It was extremely pleasing to get that first one done," Hawera said.
"It's easy as a [No. 10] when the team is going forward, but the lungs were still burning. There are always things to improve on.
"I think I've just got to take the chance with both hands. I'm building confidence week by week and I'll continue to do that every chance I get to play and train."
The Brumbies were a new-look team with seven of their starting XV playing their first game for the club.
But they didn't disappoint. opening up a 26-0 lead before Larkham shuffled his combinations and gave players a chance to press their claims for a round-one starting berth.
Jordan Jackson-Hope scored a double while Henry Speight looked menacing when he got a chance to inject himself into the game in the closing stages.
The Brumbies were heavily penalised at the breakdown and some combinations are still evolving, but their big test will come against the NSW Waratahs in Mudgee next weekend.
Scott Fardy, Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and Tevita Kuridrani will all play for the first time this year as Larkham starts to settle on his side for the start of the season against the Canterbury Crusaders on February 25.
"We thought the breakdown would be heavily contested ... it was a bit of a test for us and a bit of a wake up as well," Larkham said.
"The breakdown is an area we'll look to improve during the week. We'll have a look at the squad again this week and sdtart preparing for the Waratahs."
AT A GLANCE
ACT BRUMBIES 59 (Jordan Jackson-Hope 2, Josh Mann-Rea, Chris Alcock, Andrew Muirhead, Aidan Toua, Ben Hyne, Jamie Kotz, penalty try; Wharenui Hawera 3, Isaac Thompson 2, Henry Speight conversions) bt AUSTRALIAN BARBARIANS 0 at Viking Park.
