The boos and sideline abuse directed at ACT Brumbies skipper Sam Carter served as the perfect reminder Australian rugby has a strong heartbeat in the club rugby world.
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Carter was called on to the Royals bench for his first Canberra first grade match in five years after the club was hit by second-row injuries and suspension.
His late call up made him the perfect target for Wests fans, who didn't miss their opportunity to get stuck into Carter while he warmed up and when he was injected into the grand final clash.
Australian rugby has endured one of its worst seasons on and off the field this year, leaving many disenchanted with the game and its future.
But Carter got a front-row seat to the game's true roots and took the ribbing in good nature as Royals secured their second premiership in three years by beating Wests 28-12.
"Rugby's not doing too bad at all at this level. The support has been amazing in Canberra this year," Carter said.
"The passion of the supporters ... I was warming up and they were giving it to me. That's great to see and it means so much to them, that's what you love to see.
"I was a bit nervous coming in because I didn't want to let anyone down. The boys did an amazing job being undefeated all year and I was just lucky enough to get a spot on the bench."
The Royals women's team made it a perfect day for the Phillip club, bouncing back from the death to complete a premiership hat-trick in a tense grand final against the Tuggeranong Viqueens on Saturday.
The Royals sealed their third title in a row in an extra-time thriller at Viking Park, holding on for a 29-22 win despite almost having their season ruined by an administration error.
Perfect!Posted by Royals Rugby Union on Saturday, August 19, 2017
Royals were ruled ineligible for the finals and relegated to last on the ladder after more than six of their players were playing while unregistered.
But ADFA withdrew from the finals and opened the door for Royals to secure three consecutive premierships, shattering Tuggeranong's title hopes in the process.
Royals captain Jodi Knight missed the title run last year after having a knee reconstruction.
"The third one in a row is pretty sweet, even if I missed last year," Knight said.
"I'm super proud of the way the girls reacted this year. We could have given up when we lost all of our points, but we fought hard and got through each game. Today was no exception."
Meanwhile, Tuggeranong officials are hopeful Ben Maleganeas will be cleared of a serious injury after he collapsed during the third grade grand final.
Maleganeas spent the night in hospital after having a seizure on the field as the Vikings fell to the Gungahlin Eagles 20-14 at Viking Park.
The Eagles lost just one game all season, but the club couldn't make it two from two after their colts team lost the grand final against the Queanbeyan Whites.
AT A GLANCE
John I Dent Cup: ROYALS 28 (Jason Swain, Tom Cusack, Ben Johnston tries; Pedro Rolando 3 penalties, 2 conversions) bt WESTS 12 (Chris Ashmore; Junior Luteru tries; Joel Astle conversion). Man of the match: Tom Cusack.
Women's: Royals 29 bt Tuggeranong Viqueens22. Player of the match: Darcy Read.
Second grade: Queanbeyan Whites 26 bt Tuggeranong Vikings 15. Man of the match: Josh White.
Colts: Queanbeyan Whites 17 bt Gungahlin Eagles 11. Man of the match: Justin Sikimeti.
First division
First grade: Gungahlin Eagles 20 bt Tuggeranong Vikings 14. Man of the match: Brendan O'Neill.
Second grade: Tuggeranong Vikings 38 bt Queanbeyan Whites 0. Man of the match: Tim McCarthur.
