It was a pivotal weekend for Australia's Super Rugby sides.
The Brumbies secured the Australian conference title and all but ended NSW's season with a 35-24 win while the Reds edged out the Blues in Brisbane.
It was a tough weekend for the Rebels who suffered a 66-0 loss to the Crusaders.
Who were the Aussie standouts in round 17.
1. James Slipper
Slipper continued on his hot run of form against the Waratahs last weekend in a dominant Brumbies pack. The ACT front row laid the foundation for the Brumbies in the opening half in Parramatta, especially, and that momentum carried them a long way against NSW.
2. Folau Fainga'a
Similarly to Slipper, Fainga'a has been a dominant force for the Brumbies this season and that was true again on Saturday night. The rake scored a try and had 11 carries for 53 metres in a hugely influential outing.
3. Allan Alaalatoa
Alaalatoa was the third piece of the dominant front row puzzle that put the heat on the Waratahs in the set piece. The 25-year-old is firmly establishing himself as Australia's form tighthead and his timing couldn't be better.
4. Rory Arnold
Another impressive performance from Arnold against the Waratahs. Scored a try and had six carries for 26 run metres against NSW. Made seven tackles and was pivotal at set piece time as well.
5. Izack Rodda
Rodda is playing well beyond his age this season and the 22-year-old put in another monstrous performance against the Blues on Friday night. Has stepped up as a second rower and a leader for Queensland.
6. Lachlan Swinton
Swinton has made the most of his opportunities in the face of injury in recent weeks and was again strong in the NSW backrow. Was effective in defence with 11 tackles and adds a valuable physical presence for the Tahs.
7. Liam Wright
Wright is quickly becoming one of the most exciting openside flanker prospects in Australia. Had some pivotal steals against the Blues, something which he is making a habit of this year, and his influence over the ball was pivotal in the one-point victory.
8. Scott Higginbotham
Higginbotham savoured his final Queensland home game and added a few new entries to his highlights reel along the way. The no. 8 had a double at Suncorp and made 75 metres off 11 carries along the way.
9. Joe Powell
Powell is putting the heat on his rivals for a Wallabies World Cup spot after another effective Super Rugby outing. Powell was slick in attack, setting the tone for the Brumbies backline against the Waratahs and playing a crucial role for the ACT side.
10. Christian Lealiifano
Lealiifano is back to some of his best form and he managed Saturday night's outing superbly against the Waratahs. He has been one of the most important cogs in the Brumbies outfit this season and it could be propelling him into what had seemed like an unlikely World Cup berth.
11. Toni Pulu
Pulu goes under the radar but he was super effective for the Brumbies, particularly in the opening half in Parramatta. Helped set up a crucial early try and was involved in plenty of attack, finishing wiht 77 metres from nine carries.
12. Samu Kerevi
Don't go, Samu. That was the line on every Queensland fan's lips after another immense display from the Reds skipper. Friday night's match shaped as Kerevi's Suncorp swansong, at least for now, with the centre expected to head to Japan after the World Cup. He gave Reds fans one to remember with 18 carries and eight beaten defenders left in his wake.
13. Tevita Kuridrani
Kuridrani has settled into 2019 well and is timing his tun into form superbly. Had six carries for 40 metres and made 11 tackles on the other side of the ball as well.
14. Andy Muirhead
Muirhead has been in and out of the Brumbies side this season but he has made the most of his recent opportunities to start. The speedster played a pivotal role for the Brumbies, with some smart attack in the opening half especially.
15. Bryce Hegarty
Hegarty has found his groove at fullback for the Reds and was effective for Queensland against the Blues. Scored a try, had 10 carries for 94 run metres and was handy with the boot as well.
