The Super Rugby regular season wrapped up last weekend.
Who stood up for the Australian teams in the final round?
1. JP Smith
The Reds scrum has become a massive weapon for the Queenslanders this season and JP Smith was its cornerstone on Friday night. He brings a handy dose of experience to the pack and was dominant against the Sunwolves.
2. Folau Faingaa
Folau Faingaa is doing everything he can to press for a Test opportunity and he turned in another great game on the weekend.
3. Allan Alaalatoa
The Brumbies front row was solid in Sydney and Allan Alaalatoa is building well into his return.
4. Rory Arnold
Arnold missed out on a June Series Test but the Brumbies lock put everything into impressing in the final Super Rugby game of the season. Has rediscovered a bit of grunt and that will be more than handy for the Wallabies come TRC.
5. Lukhan Tui
Lukhan Tui has found his mojo again, proving himself as a pivotal part of Australian rugby’s future. Was one of Queensland’s best again in Brisbane.
6. Ned Hanigan
Ned Hanigan is coming into his own for the Waratahs and he’s found his groove at no. six. Produced another solid effort against the Brumbies.
7. David Pocock
David Pocock continues to prove himself as one of the best in Super Rugby, and he was a monster in Sydney. Though he was overshadowed by some super Brumbies attack, he managed four turnovers of his own.
8. Michael Wells
Wells is a workhorse for the Waratahs and he was that again in Sydney, finishing with 17 tackles against the Brumbies.
9. Nick Phipps
Nick Phipps has cemented himself in the nine jersey at NSW once again and his speedy service has been important for them.
10. Reece Hodge
Reece Hodge has had mixed performances in the no. 10 but he put those away on Saturday evening in Dunedin. A club record 29 points and a polished outing overall from the versatile back.
11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
Naiyaravoro has left his mark on the 2018 Super Rugby season, with a 15th season try equalling the all-time Super Rugby record for scores in the regular season.
12. Kyle Godwin
Godwin had basically the best game of his Super Rugby career on Saturday night, in what was his last Brumbies match. Scored a brilliant chip and chase try just after half-time, ran for 89 metres and made 13 tackles.
13. Tevita Kuridrani
The debate over the next Wallabies #13 is seemingly over after Kuridrani's star turn against the Waratahs. The 27-year-old was monstrous in defence but it was his attack that caught the eye. Put in a sensational try assist for Lausii Taliauli, fending off Curtis Rona, his closest competition for that 13 spot, along the way.
14. Andy Muirhead
Muirhead might have been the smallest player on the field in Sydney but that didn't stop him from slipping through the grasps of some of the biggest Waratahs to score a spectacular try. A very good finisher.
15. Tom Banks
Banks has been brilliant for the Brumbies in the back end of the season and Saturday's clash was one of his best yet. The 24-year-old showed his blistering pace with an intercept try in the third minute and finished with 107 run metres off 12 carries. One of the Brumbies' best pickups.
