The Brumbies got a lesson in fitness while the Aussie Sevens team received a few blunt tips on Super 14-level physicality. Clyde Rathbone got through unscathed and everyone left happy.

Less than three months before the Super 14 season begins, a couple of hundred Brumbies fans ventured to Griffith Oval on Saturday's to see the club's first match of the pre-season.

It might only have been a 30-minute Sevens rugby exhibition, but there was enough decent hits, exciting footwork and tries to please the spectators.

It was also a milestone occasion for Wallabies winger Rathbone. It was his first game in Brumbies colours for 15 months after a long and frustrating period of knee injuries.

While Rathbone didn't score a try in the 27-17 loss, he made a positive impression with strong runs and tackles.

"I don't want to turn myself into a Sevens player, I never will be," Rathbone said as he caught his breath afterwards.

"[But] the knee feels fine, the rest of the body is a question mark."

New Brumbies recruit and former Australian Sevens captain Shawn Mackay played a leading role for the Brumbies against his former team.

After giving the squad a "crash course" in Sevens play, he said the Brumbies had performed well.

"It's still footy. There's still one football, you've got to catch and pass and beat a man. I think we got a lot out of it, one-on-one for the wingers, getting to use their feet and we still made lots of tackles."

While the Brumbies players' fitness was tested during the frenetic three quarters of competition, the Sevens squad got valuable experience in contesting the breakdown.

Australia's Sevens team has been a noted underperformer in recent seasons, largely because it has struggled defensively and in ball contests.

Australian Sevens coach and former dual international Michael O'Connor said he had selected players who could tackle and do the hard work at the breakdown.

"The game is about defence, low tackles and a desire to get your hands on the footy. I've traded off in other areas, like speed, but I think I've got a committed group who'll go out and show a bit of ticker."

Brumbies coach Andy Friend was pleased to see his squad's fitness tested and to see winger Rathbone in action.

"Any time Clyde gets through full contact work it's good for him. Having been injured, it's hard coming back from that.

"[As a squad] we can be fitter and we will be fitter."

The Brumbies take part in an Outward Bound camp next week, while the Sevens squad will continue its build-up to the first world series tournament in Dubai next weekend.

AUSTRALIAN SEVENS 27 (Brian Sefanaia 2; Stanley Hokafonu, Ben Mowen, Willie Bishop tries; Richard Kingi conversion) bt ACT BRUMBIES 17 (Anthony Hegarty, Francis Fainifo, Leo Afeaki tries; Francis Fainifo conversion) at Griffith Oval.