New Brumbies coach Tony Rea said his dramatic takeover from Andy Friend as Super Rugby coach wasn't as awkward a situation as it would seem.

Rea said he sought his boss of the last two years out on Tuesday as the fallout from Friend's sacking was becoming clear.

The former North Sydney Bears captain revealed their conversation wasn't uncomfortable, despite the highly unusual circumstances of a coach's sacking after just two matches of the new Super Rugby season.

"Not really, Friendy was real good," Rea told AAP.

"I went and saw him first thing when it was all going down and we were chatting when it all happened.

"He was strong so that was good, and you just have so much to get on with...you don't have time to think emotionally or get excited and those things.

"We were just talking about what was in the news at the time and all the things you do ... 'just look after yourself, keep your head held high', and all those things."

Rea joined the Brumbies as Friend's assistant before the 2009 season, after more than a decade at the London Broncos/Harlequins in the English Super League as chief executive then head coach.

For someone who only ever played and coached league, Rea's rise to being in charge of a Super Rugby team is meteoric to say the least.

The 44-year-old said he didn't have a clear goal of where he wanted to end up in rugby when he made his code switch, but said the adjustment hasn't been as difficult as it would seem.

"You just get on with the job and see where it leads you. Anyone who starts anywhere wants to work their way through to get some broadening challenges," he said.

"It didn't necessarily mean having to be head coach ... I was just after a new challenge at that time.

"I had to listen a lot and absorb.

"You have to take advantage of that point of difference you have when you first come in.

"It's actually easier on the inside when you're doing it than it probably sounds in a lot of ways. There's a few differences there obviously ... but that's all fine.

"You just focus on the job at hand."

After falling into the job so unexpectedly, Rea said he'll wait until later in the year to think about his future in the role.

For now, he's concentrating on getting the Brumbies up for Saturday's important clash with Queensland, which the ACT side needs to win to kick-start their season.

Rea said the Brumbies are capable of bouncing back from last week's loss to Melbourne and the drama of the week, and make the Super finals.

"They're more than capable, it'll just be determined (by) how hard we work, how tight we are, how together we are and all the intangibles that go with it," he said.

"There's enough to feel confidence and aspiration there.

"It's not a new person coming in they've got to get used to listening to."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP