Support is paramount to Brumbies culture, says Reimer

The visitors were two points shy of the Canterbury Crusaders' 31 points on Saturday, after a try at the buzzer gave the Brumbies hope of an equaliser.

However, Lolesio's conversion swung too far left and missed, leaving the score 31-29. Moments later he was embraced by his teammates.

Newcomer Luke Reimer, who debuted three weeks ago against the Western Force, said it was part of the culture of the squad.

"In our ups and downs we always get around each other," he said.

"We weren't just going to leave him by himself if he missed it and he did, that happens, that's footy, that's life so just keep his confidence up, give him some love, give him some support, that's what we're about here."

The 20-year-old delivered a try-saving tackle to deny Ethan Blackadder in the 60th minute. Reimer said the moment was "pretty surreal", as had been the last month since his debut.

"It's pretty huge for me, like this is all I wanted to do since I started playing footy when I was three in my brother's team. It's pretty amazing coming on tour with the boys, I wouldn't have thought I would be probably four weeks ago and then a few injuries happen and then I got my shot," he said.

"We talked throughout the week, we're not here for romantic losses. We were pretty disappointed on Saturday night, obviously we want to get the win."

Getting his first taste of NZ footy, the back-rower said he noticed the difference in the pace of the game compared to his minutes in the Super Rugby Australian series.

"The contact was pretty heavy. It's just where we can be at that same level and we proved it," he said.

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Tom Hooper, who made his debut against the Crusaders on Saturday, echoed Reimer's comments about the tempo and physicality of the match.

In 2019 Hooper was part of the Australian Schoolboys under-18s side that went unbeaten in NZ, so he said he was not surprised by the tempo.

"It was extraordinary to play against them and ... the pace of the ruck and the pace of the ball and they just use their skills. They're outstanding but it's nothing that we can't match and ultimately I think we held the game at our own pace as well," he said.

The Brumbies will look to maintain the tempo and pace of their game against the Chiefs and Blues in their next two matches across the Tasman.

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