Defense is the key for the Canberra Vikings in 2015 according to coach Brad Harris, after his side opened their season with a brutal bonus point victory over NSW Country in Sydney.

After a disappointing 2014, the Vikings were out to prove a point and ran in five tries to two on the back of a strong defensive performance.

“That’s what I think this competition will be about. Every team will score a lot of points, but I think it’s going to be about presenting that defensive line and working hard for each other and that’s what we did today,” Harris told Rugby News.

Despite trailing early, the Vikings seemed in control for most of the 80 minutes, defending their attacking zone successfully for close to 15 minutes early in the second half.

“They had some sustained periods of football where they applied a lot of pressure and we were able to repel that,” Harris said.

“We’ve put a big focus on repeat efforts in defense and I thought we did that really well today. Then we came down the other end of the field and scored a try and that meant that they were chasing and it’s always tough from that position.”

Harris admitted the visitors were lucky to claim a bonus point, suggesting the contest was far tougher than the score line showed.

“It was tough, that’s what we expected from the Country boys. It was certainly willing physically. We probably pinched a late try to get that bonus point, but we certainly had to work very hard for it.”

Eagles coach Darren Coleman said he thought the Vikings would be one of the teams to beat this season, but found it difficult to fault his side’s defensive efforts.

“That first 20 minutes was really physical but I think we gave as good as we got. I couldn’t have been prouder of our physical performance and how hard we worked off the ball,” he said after the match.

The Eagles have a bye in round 3, with Waratahs recruit Sam Lousi and former Reds enforcer Beau Robinson both expected to return for the Eagles clash against the high flying Sydney Stars in Tamworth in a fortnights time.

“It’ll be a balance between continuing what we need to do training wise and building on the areas we need to improve and a balance of recovery from the first two games,” assistant coach Shannon Fraser added.

For the Vikings, it’s a clash against the Greater Sydney Rams in Canberra next Saturday afternoon, ahead of a tough road trip to Perth in round four.

If they can win one or both of those clashes, it’s hard to see the Vikings floating under the radar for much longer.

“When you are aligned to a Super Rugby franchise it makes it hard to fly under the radar and I think all the teams that we play will lift when they play us. We are just looking inwardly and focusing on our own performances and try and build from that,” Harris said.

“We learnt a lot from the program last year so that has helped and it’s a really good group. It’s only round two though so we aren’t getting carried away.”

NSW Country Eagles v UC Vikings at Woollahra Oval, Sydney

UC Vikings 37 (L Taliauli, J Butler, I Thompson, N Ah Wong, R Perry tries; I Thompson 4 cons) defeated NSW Country Eagles 13 (M Baldwin, A Kellaway tries; J Lance 1 con)