INJURIES not form are the Brumbies biggest headache following a five-point loss to Otago Highlanders at Equex Centre on Saturday night.

Lock Sam Carter down with a neck injury after 12 minutes and while the big man got up after receiving a lot of medical attention he only lasted another two minutes.

His injury will be further assessed by the Brumbies medical team, but the initial prognosis isn't too bad.

However the news doesn't look as good for starting hooker Mitch Wade, who came off with left knee injury nine minutes left in the first half.

Wade already had his knee in a heavy brace by the break and the club fears he's sustained a season-ending injury.

Despite a second trial loss to start the season, coach Stephen Larkham isn't too disappointed with the performance.

"I thought it was pretty good, we got out to a good lead in the first half then made a few changes in the second half," Larkham said.

"We fought through quite well.

"They counter-attacked pretty well and came out of their end well in the second half, but I thought there was some really good grit by our boys."

Despite conceding 24 unanswered points to lose the trial, Larkham is looking beyond the final scoreboard.

Instead he's focusing on the impressive start to the game, when his team was at its fullest strength

"We scored in the end there and were a bit unlucky as the ref thought it was a forward pass," Larkham said.

"That's just the scoreboard, but the energy, intensity, effort and attitude was spot on.

"I even think in the second half I think we had really good energy and aggression, but a couple of little errors let us down."

With the Brumbies trial the first game at the redeveloped Equex Centre, Larkham was impressed with the facilities and how the game was received.

With functions across the weekend it's been a busy time for the Brumbies, but the team has enjoyed the support.

"It's been really good, the crowd was fantastic with good numbers and I think they certainly got a good spectacle," Larkham said.

"It's pretty good score and the ref did his job at trying to slow them down and keep it from set piece, but both teams played with enthusiasm.

"I'm looking forward to next year now as this has been fantastic."