The Waratahs sealed a playoff spot and the Rebels faltered on the hunt for a maiden finals berth.
Who stood out in the Australian teams in round 18?
1. Nic Mayhew
The Brumbies pushed the Chiefs all the way in Hamilton and their scrum platform was a big part of it. Mayhew stepped in for injured prop Scott Sio and proved a more than effective replacement.
2. Folau Faingaa
Faingaa is pretty much the form Australian hooker in Super Rugby and had another impressive outing against the Chiefs.
3. Taniela Tupou
Tupou is quickly becoming one of the most intimidating tight heads in Super Rugby, and he ran riot against the Rebels last Friday night. He's always been a threat in open play but his scrummaging has become an equal threat, something that showed against the Rebels.
4. Izack Rodda
A charge down try capped another strong outing from Rodda in a Reds win underpinned by forward impact.
5. Rob Simmons
Simmons has discovered some of his best form in recent times and was again a standout for the Waratahs in a record win over the Sunwolves.
6. Angus Cottrell
Angus Cottrell goes under the radar but he is one of the Rebels' most impressive performers week in, week out. Scored a try against the Reds to cap off another very good outing.
7. Will Miller
Miller hasn't put a foot wrong in the shoes of Michael Hooper and he led the way for the Waratahs against the Sunwolves. Finished with 65 metres, 10 tackles and two turnovers for his work on Saturday night.
8. Amanaki Mafi
The Rebels will certainly miss this man when he heads back to Japan in 2019 after another monstrous outing. Mafi made 113 metres off 12 carries and won three turnovers to top that off.
9. Nick Phipps
The Waratahs' backline showed its spark against the Sunwolves and Phipps laid the foundation for that with his slick service.
10. Bernard Foley
Bernard Foley was steering the ship for the Waratahs at 10 against the Sunwolves and though they had a one-man advantage for much of the night, their skipper set the tone for the rest of their attack to make the most of it.
11. Andy Muirhead
Andy Muirhead is a consistent attacking weapon for the Brumbies and proved that again on Saturday against the Chiefs.
12. Kyle Godwin
Kyle Godwin has built into the back half of the Super Rugby season and had a strong outing for the Brumbies in Hamilton. Looks like he might leave Australia on a good note.
13. Tevita Kuridrani
The carrot of a Wallabies return is working wonders for Tevita Kuridrani, who was one of the standouts for the Brumbies last weekend.
14. Jack Maddocks
Jack Maddocks is one of the Rebels' most impressive players and he was again among their best in a tight loss to the Reds.
15. Tom Banks
Banks did his Wallabies chances no harm with another superb game for the Brumbies. Finished with a monster 197 run metres and a try.
