One game into the Super Rugby season and the monkey is off Jake White’s back.

A dull, grinding 19-17 win over the Western Force in their season opener was not the explosive start long-suffering Brumbies fans had hoped for, but it was enough.

Calculating in the Brumbies’ bye next weekend, it also has the ACT franchise in foreign land early in the season – near top of the ladder.

“We’re probably top of the log as we speak,” White said.

The Brumbies coach, who arrived in Canberra last July, has long stressed to his youthful squad the importance of the opening round, and said the relief of victory amongst his charges was palpable.

But White is not getting overconfident, acknowledging the Brumbies – as well as the Force – wasted the first half playing cautious rugby and going for points.

Goalkicker Nic White’s inaccuracy will also come under scrutiny, after bagging just three from six attempts and missing both of the Brumbies’ try conversions.

“It’s a bit like two heavyweight boxers just feeling each other out,” White said of the first 40 minutes.

“We can’t just be going through the motions and be scared.

“I’m just glad we managed to get over the line.”

The Brumbies set up the victory in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with tries to debuting winger Jesse Mogg and fullback Robbie Coleman.

The Force hit back with a try to James Stannard, but couldn’t breach the Brumbies’ defence in the final minutes despite having possession and driving towards their line.

Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen said his squad showed discipline not to give away a penalty.

“It’s very easy to throw a guy off his feet or make a poor decision and they kick the points and then you walk away saying what could have been,” he said.

“But you can see in that last three minutes, our discipline is right on the money.”

White said the win holds the Brumbies in good stead considering their woes last season.

“This time last year, or middle of last year, we would have bought that win, you would have paid money.

“It would have been really tough to lose that game and then sort of try and pick players up who were in a downward spiral last year.

“You can sense in the changerooms there’s a massive sense of relief.”