Brumbies 43 Reds 11

THE ACT Brumbies have had many special Super football moments, but few as courageous and unexpected as last night's exceptional triumph over the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium.

The Brumbies were without at least half dozen of their front-line players, and in the opening minutes lost their Wallabies fullback Julian Huxley, who had to be stretchered from the field.

Yet they overcame the adversity to humiliate their Australian rivals, and even finished with a cherished bonus point through scoring six tries.

The Brumbies were victors in every facet, and had countless exceptional performers, including skipper George Smith, halfback Patrick Phibbs and Mark Gerrard, who moved to fullback after Huxley's departure and also took over the goalkicking duties.

But what kept them together was an inexperienced midfield, who was not intimidated by the moment.

As Smith said: "You had to be very impressed with the young guys tonight. They did everything you could ask of them."

It was also to the Brumbies' credit they were not destabilised by losing their fullback in the opening minutes. The match was stopped for almost five minutes when attendants rushed to Huxley after he was in distress after falling awkwardly while attempting to tackle Reds second-rower James Horwill.

It appeared the most innocuous of tackles, but the medical staff were so concerned about Huxley's condition - he was knocked unconscious - he was placed in a neck brace and taken to hospital for scans.

BRUMBIES 43 (Mark Chisholm 2, Ben Alexander, Mark Gerrard, Stephen Hoiles, Peter Playford tries Gerrard 5 cons pen) bt QUEENSLAND REDS 11 (John Roe try Clinton Schifcofske 2 pens) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Lyndon Bray. Crowd: 15,244.