THE NSW Country Cockatoos breathed fire into a cold winter afternoon with a thumping 48-5 victory over the ACT Brumbies Provincial XV at Ashwood Park on Saturday.

The Cockatoos scored several tries from attacking plays which began in their own half, Country star Pauli Tuala and Simon Newton both bagging a brace.

Country's speed was their most impressive asset, particularly in the opening half. They constantly hit the line hard and found gaps in the Brumbies' defence with ease.

That pace may have dropped off in the back half of the game - and the Brumbies' attack looked far more threatening as a consequence - but the Cockatoos still kept the scoreboard ticking over.

"We tried today to dominate the breakdown and that's when we really got on the front foot," Country coach Mat Roberts said.

"We had to change our plan completely yesterday, because when we got here it was raining. We had to adapt to a shorter game plan, we had a wider one that we wanted to play. The ground is very heavy and slippery and that's why we saw a lot of knock-ons and scrums today.

"There were plenty of standouts today, but you really need to start at our front row. Alain Miriallakis, our tighthead, was just dynamic. When you back that up with our six and seven, Michael Howell and Pauli Tuala, who worked really well, it laid the platform for our backs to move forward."

Brumbies coach Richard Skellem said it was a disappointing way to wrap up his team's representative season.

"Country were really, really quick when we turned over the ball. We couldn't compete with that. They were far too fast," he said.

"In the second half we came out and muscled up a bit in defence, but at the end of the day they're a well-drilled unit.

"It's disappointing to lose, but it's onwards and upwards now to club rugby."

When hooker Steve Lamont dived over for a try just four minutes into the game, it set the tone for what was to come from the Cockatoos.

Cowra's Chris Miller drew cheers from Central West supporters when he made a break down the left side of the field. He then dished the ball off to Tuala, who put the hosts 10-0 up.

At the 17-minute mark Country had just as many points to their name thanks to a try from scrum half Adam McCormack.

Shortly after Brumbies had two chances to get on the board as they held possession just metres out from the Cockatoos' line. But they came up empty-handed after being forced over the sideline then knocking-on.

Instead Tuala added another for Country after he found a gap in the Brumbies' line when making a charge in his own half.

That gave Country a 22-0 lead at half-time.

Cockatoos picked things up where they left off when play resumed as Michael Howell scored.

But the Brumbies lifted in defence after that and finally enjoyed some quality time in possession.

The visitors struggled to find a way through, but the pressure they applied led to Tuala being sent to the sinbin for hands in the ruck.

Brumbies winger Riley Brennan dropped the ball close to the try line, but he didn't make the same mistake when given another chance. He dived over in the left corner to make it 29-5.

However, Country showed their attacking prowess by scoring via Simon Newton while still a man down.

Both sides struggled to maintain possession in a scrappy last 20 minutes of the game, but after withstanding another period of Brumbies attack, Country finished with a bang.

Tries inside the final 10 minutes to Dubbo's Filisione Pauta and Newton extended their already sizeable lead.

The Cockatoos will now face NSW Suburban this Saturday before their 'grudge match' against Queensland Country in Toowoomba the following weekend.

NSW COUNTRY COCKATOOS 48 (Pauli Tuala 2, Simon Newton 2, Steve Lamont, Filisione Pauta, Adam McCormack, Michael Howell tries; Ben Damon 3, Rapine Mason conversions) defeated ACT BRUMBIES PROVINCIAL XV 5 (Riley Brennan try)