The Reds returned to the winners list for just the fourth time this season, while it’s a tight race at the top between the Waratahs and Brumbies who are locked on 42 points apiece.
But who were the key performers of the round?
Key Performances
Quade Cooper – It’s hard to believe that Quade Cooper missed the last eight weeks through injury, as he slotted seamlessly back into the Reds starting line-up on Saturday. In QC’s return he scored two tries, set up Lachie Turner with a no look flick pass and had kicked 5/6, on his way to a personal tally of 22 points! It’s hard to look past Cooper in Michael Cheika’s Wallabies squad….
Scott Sio – Similar to Quade, Scott Sio has been working his way back from injury, having missed the past five rounds of Super Rugby. Sio had only played 60 minutes of club Rugby before returning to the Brumbies front-row, but he didn’t miss a beat. His work rate around the ground was impressive having just returned from a knee injury, while his scrummaging was dominant against a powerful Bulls pack.
Scott Higginbotham – Another two tries for the Melbourne Rebels co-captain taking his career tally to 32! It was a hard fought match for the Rebels, who battled with just 14 men for 50 minutes, Higginbotham led from the front to help his team almost steal victory in Durban. Seventy-eight run metres, seven tackle busts and two tries tries to his name!
Notable Mentions
Chris Feauai-Sautia
Pek Cowan
James Slipper
