ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels visited the city for two trial matches and were greeted with hot, blustery conditions at Parramore Park.

Playing as the temperature neared 44 degrees, it was a tough initiation for both sides.

However it was the Rebels who came out on top in the trial on Saturday and then again in cooler conditions on Sunday.

Brumbies coach Adam Butt admitted the trip provided a great learning opportunity for the side just weeks out from the start of the season.

"We've got a lot of things to work on - our contact zone is one of them, our line speed is another in defence - but we're not here to win a trophy just yet and we will wait for the competition to start for that," Butt said.

The third Super W season shapes as the biggest yet.

The Brumbies made the finals last season and now will be on centre stage with each of their four games to be played as curtain-raisers to Super Rugby clashes.

As the temperatures soared, play was shortened and drink breaks extended to help players deal with the conditions.

It is all part of the preparation for the season ahead.

"It was tough no doubt but we play in a summer comp so you have to get used to the hot weather," Butt said.

"Last year for semi-finals it was 36 degrees and while it was a bit hotter you have to play in what you get."

There is a strong Southern Inland contingent in the Brumbies squad with current Ag College forward Harriet Elleman, former CSU flyers Biola Dawa and Claudia Obst in the squad along captain and former Waratahs playmaker Jane Garraway.

Butt believes there is plenty of rugby talent in the region and is confident having more events like the weekend's will only see the game flourish.

"The Riverina girls are really great, we've got lots of them and it is great for the region," he said.

"It shows this is a breeding ground for us and we need to not neglect it and bring more trials like this and put the work in out here."

The Super W season starts on February 15.

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