As torrential rain drenched the capital and turned Brumbies Headquarters into a swamp, the ACT's Super Rugby players took on a whole new meaning of slip, slop, slap.
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The effect of four days of continuous wet weather was felt by Dan McKellar's side on Tuesday morning, as water sprayed beneath their feet with even the lightest of touches.
When James Tucker dived for the ball, it created a fountain-like display. Then there were the dropped balls, shrivelled fingers, slipped tackles and metres gained from simply sliding across the turf.
But rugby is rugby, and the team has to adapt to the conditions.
"It's been pretty tough actually, it's really wet today. I think the boys had a bit of fun out there," fullback Tom Banks said.
"You have to play to the conditions out there, it's a tough day, but it could happen on the weekend so we'll have to see how we go."
Watching on was forwards coach Laurie Fisher, wearing his trademark bucket hat underneath his puffy parka.
The "Lord" joked it would get the Brumbies ready for the northern hemisphere, but before that can even be considered as a possibility in the COVID-19 world - their next focus is Friday night's clash with the Western Force at Canberra Stadium.
It was business as usual for the Brumbies despite the wild weather, with Fisher saying they tried to execute their game plan at the wet training session.
"It's probably safe conditions really, it takes a bit of the sting out of the contact with a bit of slip and sliding," Fisher said.
"It obviously doesn't help your skills focus or execution focus. It's not dangerous at all.
"We just tried to execute what we're going to execute, trying out game plan for a dry night on Friday."
In welcome news for the Brumbies, James Slipper has resumed contact training as the Brumbies face a major test in the front row with a number of props out of action.
Allan Alaalatoa still has two games left to serve on his suspension, while injuries to Tom Ross (knee) and Scott Sio (elbow) will keep them sidelines this week.
Slipper has missed three games due to an MCL strain, he's in the frame to play against the Force with a decision to be made in the coming days.
"It depends on how he recovers from today in the next few days," Fisher said.
"He has been able to get some training days in, not complete sessions but able to do some work. The signs are encouraging, but still got to wait the next 48 hours for him."
The Brumbies have brought in Kiwi Sosefo Kautai as a short-term cover, with the former Waikato Chiefs prop an option to wear the No.3 jersey. Rookie Archie Holz could also be promoted into the starting side.
Holz, who made his debut in the Queensland Reds loss, missed two training sessions this week due to illness but returned to Brumbies Headquarters on Tuesday.
"It was a tough day out for him," Fisher said about his debut.
"At the back end of the game, we'd lost some senior props. It would have been nice to have a senior loosehead prop out there to help him out.
"He missed Sunday and Monday with illness, he has to work his way back now.
"What he's found out is the challenges Super Rugby throws at you, and where he needs to direct his energy over the next six to 12 months.
"As a young tighthead, you take a long-term view and we're taking a long-term view with him. He just had to knuckle down and do the work which is what he's keen for."
SUPER RUGBY AU
Round six - Friday: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
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