The Quirindi product gave the Brumbies a sniff of conjuring at the least a draw when he secured the lineout and scored off the ensuing rolling maul to make it a seven point game with a little over a minute remaining.

But the Rebels held on to take the points and hand the Brumbies their first round one loss at home since 2000.

Adding to the Brumbies’ woes, Wallabies star David Pocock saw just five minutes of action after copping an accidental elbow from Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar says there are no guarantees Pocock will line-up against the Chiefs next Saturday night after he failed a concussion test.

Pocock endured an interrupted off-season, picking up neck and calf issues.

"He's obviously had a concussion on the (Wallabies') Spring tour as well so we'll just do what's in the best interest of Dave," McKellar said.

Former Wallabies star Quade Cooper produced a blistering debut for the Rebels, playing a starring role in the seven point victory. 

In reigniting his halves partnership with former Queensland and Australian teammate Will Genia, Cooper didn't miss a beat after spending the entire 2019 season in Brisbane club rugby exile.

The Brumbies started the stronger against their Australian conference rivals, but once the Rebels settled they were the more assured side.

After an attacking first-half which finished with the Brumbies leading 22-19, the Rebels clamped down on defence as hooker Anaru Rangi and winger Jack Maddocks crossed for tries after the break before Brumbies lock Sam Carter's consolation effort.

The Brumbies drew first blood through a try to hooker Folau Faingaa and Christian Lealiifano's penalty conversion.

But in a topsy-turvy first-half, the Rebels snapped the deficit as centre Tom English and Maddocks capitalised on some sloppy Brumbies defence.

The home crowd was fuming as Maddocks took advantage of an errant kick from Brumbies centre Irae Simone and ran into an open try-line.

Former Queensland Reds skipper James Slipper made a solid first appearance in Brumbies colours, playing 50 minutes before swapping with Wallabies prop Scott Sio.

Australian Associated Press