A HEAVY trial defeat to the Waratahs and a serious knee injury to halfback Tomas Cubelli made it a night to forget for the Brumbies in Mudgee.

Though starting an almost full-strength side, the ACT team were beaten comfortably by a NSW squad featuring just one of their Wallabies players.

The Waratahs scored nine tries to three in the 53-17 win, and with impressive performances from many, the trial gave coach Daryl Gibson plenty of selection headaches heading towards the start of the Super Rugby season later this month.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham had a headache of the unwanted kind, with his team well beaten and​ top halfback Cubelli injuring a knee in a nasty incident.

The Argentinian Test halfback was trapped awkwardly in a tackle and after receiving pain relief on the field, was helped off by medical staff in distress.

Cubelli came back to the sideline in a knee brace but would appear to be in doubt for the start of the Brumbies’ season.

Club officials said they would await the results of scans but the Brumbies can ill-afford to lose Cubelli for an extended stretch, with the experienced no. 9 a critical playmaker this season.

With all Wallabies bar Tom Robertson watching on, the Waratahs had an array of players stick their hands high for Super Rugby spots.

Reece Robinson scored a double, while Jack Dempsey scored one and laid on another for halfback Jake Gordon.

Returning to NSW colours since blowing a knee last year, Bryce Hegarty looked good at both fullback and no. 10 and he scored a try and had his hand in several others.

With Gordon on his tail, Matt Lucas turned in a strong display at halfback and he scored a try as well.

Andrew Kellaway, Irae Simone and Tolu Latu all got their names on the scoresheet as well.

In a good sign for Gibson, the Waratahs pack also stood up as a large group.