Pain medication around Canberra could be in short supply as Brumbies coach Dan McKellar deals with selection headaches ahead of the Super Rugby season.
Without Wallabies stars David Pocock, Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio, the ACT team defeated the NSW Waratahs 34-28 on Thursday night to record back-to-back trial victories.
After missing the finals for the first time since 2012 last year, the Brumbies shape as one of the big improvers in their second season under McKellar.
The Brumbies will begin their season on February 15 when they host Melbourne at GIO Stadium.
McKellar faces some difficult choices at the selection table, particularly for wing spots after Wallaby Henry Speight came off the bench against the Waratahs.
Lausii Taliauli and Toni Pulu started the encounter, but Speight and Andy Muirhead both looked lively when they entered the match.
"Get me a massive box of Nurofen," McKellar told reporters.
"All of those guys, as well as Chance Peni, will play Super Rugby this year, unfortunately only two can start and one will grab a spot on the bench."
But Tailauli could be out of the equation to play the Rebels after jarring his knee against the Rebels.
The injury isn't as bad as initially feared and the 25-year-old will have scans on Friday to determine any damage.
Former Queensland Reds captain James Slipper suffered an early scare, leaving the field inside the first 30 minutes due to a chest complaint.
But McKellar said it was a precautionary move to remove Slipper from the contest and the veteran prop could line-up against the Rebels.
Pocock, Alaalatoa and Sio took part in heavy game simulation at Brumbies training this week and they are certain starters to take on Melbourne.
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