Round seven of Super Rugby AU showcased two exciting matches in the Sunshine State.
The Waratahs took their chances to beat a gutsy Force side, while the Reds defended for their lives to hang tough and snap the Rebels' winning run.
But who stood out?
Here's our team of the week.
1: Tom Robertson - Waratahs
When the game was on a knife's edge midway through the second half, Robertson stood up earning his side a penalty which alleviated the pressure that was firmly on the Waratahs' scrum.
It was a match defining play.
2: Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Reds
He may have been shown a yellow card late in the match but that was more of a 'team yellow' than through any great fault of Paenga-Amosa.
The Reds hooker backed up his winger Filipo Daugunu superbly to score a vital try in the first half.
But it was his defensive work that was just as important, making 17 tackles without a miss.
🐏 "Like two rams banging horns!" 😂 #REDvREB #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 15, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/2KKq6dYkVU pic.twitter.com/8HWLkLLEsH
3: Taniela Tupou - Reds
80 minutes of grit in tight for the Reds.
It wasn't the usual powerful ball-in-hand carries that was the feature of Tupou's display but rather his 13 tackles without a miss.
With yet another prop on the loose-head side too, Tupou had to carry the Reds' scrum which managed to survived against an improving Rebels pack.
4: Matt Philip - Rebels
One of the Rebels' best.
The Rebels lineout was superior to the Reds' while Philip was a workhorse around the ground, making 12 runs for 67 metres in an effort that included 27 post-contact metres and one linebreak.
5: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Reds
When the Test forward is on, he's brilliant.
With Brad Thorn opting for two fetchers, Salakaia-Loto needed to bring that physicality and that he did. Six strong carries for 29 run metres (15 post-contact) and 12 tackles.
6: Josh Kemeny - Rebels
This kid is going places.
Kemeny was strong on the ball and in the first half, when the game was a see-sawing battle, he was at his best.
7: Fraser McReight - Reds
Two weeks ago McReight was pinged at the breakdown after the hooter and the Brumbies broke the hearts of the Reds.
But it was McReight's breakdown work that continued to keep the Reds in the fight against the Rebels.
He won a couple of crucial onball penalties while also making 17 tackles.
8: Jack Dempsey - Waratahs
The Waratahs No.8 edged out Isi Naisarani for a place in our team of the week.
Dempsey built on last weekend's return to form match against the Reds by once again starring against the Force.
He made 57 run metres (34 post-contact) and was bullish in defence too.
Jordan Petaia scored on his return in a memorable @Reds_Rugby win at Suncorp Stadium. #REDvREB #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 15, 2020
READ: https://t.co/2KKq6dYkVU pic.twitter.com/iLu9x06iyh
9: Tate McDermott - Reds
My player of the week.
McDermott made three trysaving tackles, set up one try and played a key role in another.
READ MORE
SUPER WIN: Reds hang tough to beat Rebels
'QUEENSLANDER': Thorn labels remarkable Reds win as 'Originesque'
FIVE THINGS: Waratahs vs Rebels
10: Will Harrison - Waratahs
Became just the third Waratahs debutant to score more than 100 points in his debut Super Rugby season.
Perfect from the kicking tee, Harrison underplayed his hand and led his troops around well.
And did anyone see his 50-22 flying defensive effort?
😳 Harrison goes horizontal! #FORvWAR #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 15, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/IObiZ4J82R pic.twitter.com/xmLUW3KAUz
11: Filipo Daugunu - Reds
He might be a winger, but the feature of Daugunu's performance against the Rebels was his defensive effort.
Daugunu put on a number of heavy shots in defence making a number of ball-and-all tackles.
In attack, he played a key role in Paenga-Amosa's first-half try, exploding onto Jock Campbell's ball and then offloading to his hooker to finish off an excellent try.
12: Hamish Stewart - Reds
Iced the game with the Reds' third try, but his ability to stay on his feet and power to the line was most impressive.
The second playmaker's defensive work continues to shine too as he made 12 tackles.
13: Kyle Godwin - Force
57 run metres, one linebreak and 13 strong tackles in defence.
Godwin and Richard Kahui are forming a strong midfield for the Force.
14: James Ramm - Waratahs
The Waratahs winger has caught the eye Dave Rennie and it's no surprise either.
Physically the winger is strong, he's got the ability to break a tackle and his thumping boot give the Waratahs an excellent clearing option.
🏄 Maddocks hangs five on the GC. #FORvWAR #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 14, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/IObiZ4J82R pic.twitter.com/9KR3dI3lAR
15: Jack Maddocks - Waratahs
Another strong performance from Maddocks.
He put Alex Newsome in by jumping in at halfback and firing a long ball to his winger. Later, he intercepted Jono Lance's attempted cut out pass and ran 60 metres to score.
