It was a disappointing weekend for Aussie Super Rugby teams with the Waratahs and Brumbies both going down.
Who were the players that stood up?
1. Harry Johnson-Holmes
The Waratahs were outsized across the park against the Sharks but as he has done all year, Harry Johnson-Holmes stood up to the challenge. Binding opposite the Sharks' "Beast", Johnson-Holmes held his own.
2. Folau Faingaa
Faingaa finished off a quick lineout move to score another try for 2019 in a tough outing against the Jaguares. Was solid in Buenos Aires in a game where the ACT side was forced to defend for long periods of time
3. Allan Alaalatoa
Alaalatoa is ultra-consistent and was again strong in Argentina. Threw the final pass for the Faingaa's try and worked hard across the park. Finished with 11 tackles for the game.
4. Sam Carter
The Brumbies leaned heavily on their lineout in Buenos Aires and it laid a solid foundation for them, though they couldn't quite finish in attack. Defensively, the Brumbies were able to disrupt the Jaguares set piece as well. and Carter played a role in that.
5. Rory Arnold
Arnold came off arguably a career-best performance against the Stormers and though he didn't quite replicate that in Buenos Aires, he put in another strong shift for the Brumbies. All his influence came in defence, with eight tackles, and helping the lineout execute.
6. Jahrome Brown
Brown has proven in the past fortnight that he is well and truly of Super Rugby standard. Put defensive pressure on the Jaguares and finished with 11 tackles for the game.
7. Michael Hooper
Hooper couldn't have quite the influence he normally does but still led the way for the Waratahs against the Sharks. Put his body on the line and it showed post-match, with the flanker admitting he was fairly banged up. Finished with 16 tackles and had 15 carries for the game.
8. Pete Samu
Pete Samu has probably been going under the radar for the Brumbies this season but he has stepped up in a big way in the absence of David Pocock, Rob Valetini and Locky McCaffrey. Set the tone for the side with some relentless defence in Buenos Aires, finishing with 12 tackles for the game.
9. Jake Gordon
Gordon scored an impressive try for the Waratahs against the Sharks and worked hard to get NSW on the front foot with speedy service but was often cut off at the source.
10. Christian Lealiifano
Lealiifano lamented the Brumbies' lack of execution in attack after their loss to the Jaguares but the ACT skipper worked hard to try and create opportunities for his team.
11. Toni Pulu
Pulu has quickly settled into a regular starting spot with the Brumbies. The Brumbies didn't have many opportunities in open space but Pulu worked hard to support his teammates and put pressure on the Jaguares.
12. Karmichael Hunt
Hunt looked sore when he came off the field against the Sharks after a big shift at Bankwest Stadium. The centre provided a bit of grunt, particularly towards the start of the game, and finished with 10 carries.
13. Tevita Kuridrani
Kuridrani didn't have many opportunities for attack on Sunday morning but he was consistent in defence for the Brumbies, finishing with seven tackles and a turnover.
14. Cam Clark
Clark made just about the biggest hit of NSW's season at Parramatta on Saturday night. The Waratahs winger absolutely laid out Sharks speedster Makazole Mapimpi with a hit that stopped just about everyone in the stadium.
15. Tom Banks
Tom Banks' reputation is increasing with every game he play in 2019 and so does his case for a Wallabies spot. The Test fullback spot will be a hotly contested one, with Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge and Kurtley Beale shaping as the other big-name contenders. All players can do at this stage is play their best and that is surely what Banks is doing. The 24-year-old scored a superb try, using his pace to beat the Jaguares running off the back of a scrum and his kicking helped relieve pressure off the Brumbies at times in Buenos Aires. Had a hand in most of their attack and was a standout in a losing team.
