A THREE-TRY blast from Canberra Vikings hooker Folau Fainga’a Saturday nearly upstaged a Queensland Country side which started its title defence with a 45-35 win in chilly Canberra.

Folau’s five-pointers will impress Wallabies boss Michael Cheika far less than the pinpoint lineout throw to the apex of lock Rory Arnold’s jump to start the second try, his dominant scrum work when Country replaced its top front-row and going strong for 80 minutes.

The National Rugby Championship clash was invaluable match sharpening for Vikings trio Fainga’a, Arnold and sharp fullback Tom Banks as well as strong-running Country No. 8 Caleb Timu.

All are bidding for time with the Wallabies in Saturday’s Test against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium while the assertive play of prop James Slipper was a promising sign for further down the track.

Slipper’s rattling hit and ball-steal on winger Andrew Muirhead was one of the plays of the game to set up a try for winger Jock Campbell and he galloped 12 times as well.

The Vikings rallied from 38-21 to 38-35 with two Fainga’a tries before replacement Country lock Rob Puli’uvea plunged over for the decider after a fine dart from a lineout by replacement halfback Tate McDermott.

SCORE:
Queensland Country 45 (J Campbell 2, A Casey 2, R Puli’uvea, C Timu, A Blyth tries; J Tuttle 3 conv, H Stewart 2 conv) d Canberra 35 (F Fainga’a 3, A Muirhead, L Taliauli tries; J Jackson-Hope 3 conv, W Hawera 2 conv)

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Prop JP Smith makes his return for Brisbane City Sunday in the clash against the Western Force at Courtney Oval (3pm) after missing the recent club grand final triumph with GPS because of a cheekbone fracture.

City’s strength upfront and the experience of Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt in the backline is nice balance to take on a highly-motivated Force side.

Former Reds winger Rod Davies, busy flanker Chris Alcock, Kiwi Jeremy Thrush and halfback Ian Prior are among the classy players the Force will field. The match is broadcast live on Fox Sports.