I sat with anticipation in front of the box on Friday night to watch the Brumbies play the Reds at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for what was no doubt going to be a test of character within the Australian conference, but also to see how this game could shape the make-up of the Wallabies in less than two month’s time.

The result was a three-point victory to the visitors, but what interested me most was how these two teams were going to attack. The Larkham-styled Brumbies against the Cooper-led Reds. The intriguing feature of these two teams was always going to be the creativity of the two back lines.

Both teams came up with innovative ways to start a back-line play, but both teams would have been disappointed with their execution. That said, from the Brumbies perspective, it reminded me of a past era when bodies in motion was the key to getting over the advantage line.

It had Stephen Larkham written all over it. Nothing wrong with that at all, as attacking raids yielded metres nearly every time. The Reds finally got into the game in the second half and it was Quade Cooper pulling the strings to create space for the men outside.

I liked how both teams moved away from the classic back-line positions and opted more for unconventional set-ups seeking some kind of advantage. The focus was on trying to create deception and put doubt in the minds of the opposition.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie would have liked this innovation.

The cliche, ‘‘it was a game of two halves’’, couldn’t describe the game more aptly.

Matt Toomua had the better of things in the first 40 minutes, distributing well and taking small chances.

Combined with his aggressive defence, he held court at Suncorp. Complimenting him was Nic White at halfback. His distribution around the base of rucks was crisp and fast, and stressed the opposition.

Conversely, the second half brought renewed enthusiasm to the Reds, which was seized upon by Will Genia in one of his better games this year.

It’s no coincidence that the big players can up the ante when they need to and react to the situation. There was a 20-minute period in the second half where the game was controlled effectively by the Reds and marshalling the troops were Genia and Cooper.

That effectiveness by the Reds would have been noticed by the Wallabies selectors, as would the ineffectiveness of the Brumbies to control the tempo of the game.

So who gets the points decision?

Perhaps the Brumbies halves on this occasion, as the closing minutes saw some balance come back into their play.

The back three from both teams were full of running. Reds winger Rod Davies was explosive every time he got the ball and Chris Feauai-Sautia doesn’t realise how good he is just yet.

The Brumbies’ Jesse Mogg was again outstanding, but consistency is the key. He went a little quiet, a product of the Reds gaining dominance.

That consistency sets apart the good players from the exceptional players, and there are players still searching to achieve that 80-minute performance.

The forward battle was huge and didn’t disappoint.

The hitting was powerful and direct and limited advantage was given in the tight. The effectiveness at the breakdown by the Brumbies in the first half was exceptional, allowing quick ball for White, who dominated that area.

Enter the second half where the scrum by the Reds in the 63rd minute was huge.

It was the result of sustained physical and mental pressure. The Reds just had to keep their cool as the visitors struggled to get out of their own half, as the net result of all that pressure was limited by the Brumbies stoic defence.

I found the half-time chat with Reds coach Richie Graham interesting.

He said the Brumbies conceded the most tries in Super Rugby in the last 20 minutes of matches, so turning pressure into points on the board was Queensland's goal.

They nearly got there in the end. Talk about momentum. They can predict exactly how games will transpire and, if they can implement their game plan well enough, it goes such a long way in securing the victory.

The Reds-Brumbies game lived up to the hype and both teams got to show us where their strengths were but also a good learning opportunity was how to negate the opposition's perceived threats.

Three points was the difference on the field and that could be in favour of a handful of Brumbies players when it comes to selection time for the Wallabies.