Brown was far from upset about the 42-22 loss against Tasman and said it was a valuable lesson for his team.
"It was exactly what we needed. Just the intensity of that game compared to club rugby, which is what the boys have been playing for the past few months," he said.
"It was a massive change for our guys and I think for that first 20 minutes we were just sitting there and waiting for them. But we adapted better in the second 20 minutes of the first half and looked good."
Brown thought players might have tried to do a little bit too much in the last 20 minutes when the game got away from Otago as Tasman scored two tries in the final 15 minutes to extend the winning margin.
But he was pleased by some of the good work on attack by his side and the players showed if they could hold on to the ball then they could be dangerous.
"It is a really good starting point for us. South Canterbury was not a massive opponent so we needed to play against a team which play what we expect to face."
Greater intensity meant such things as getting quicker, being stronger in defence and having greater line speed.
"It was our first real hit-out together at this level and made the guys realise what is needed.
They have played club rugby and now the level has increased."
He was happy with the performance of halfback Fumiaka Tanaka and felt first five-eighth Hayden Parker did some good things.
He confirmed fullback Tony Ensor had joined the squad fulltime.
No injuries were picked up in the game.
The side will head to South Otago for a two-day camp in the Catlins this week before the final warm-up match against Southland, in Balclutha on Friday.
Otago starts its ITM Cup campaign against Northland, in Dunedin on August 25.
