With just three weeks remaining, players are starting to find form as the Super Rugby Pacific finals approach.
The Western Force pulled off a crucial win over the ACT Brumbies whilst the NSW Waratahs continue their hot streak over the Fijian Drua.
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Meanwhile, the Melbourne Rebels went down after the bell against the Highlanders as the Queensland Reds struggled against the Blues.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round 13.
1 Matt Gibbon (Melbourne Rebels)
Another consistent showing from Gibbon.
The Rebels loosehead powered his way through the Highlanders’ scrum at times during the game along with contributing some key carries.
For this, he just edges out Te Tera Faulkner after another strong week from the Waratah
2. Folau Fainga’a (Western Force)
Fainga’a backed up his pre-match trash talk with a dominant outing for the Force.
He was near perfect with his 14 throws for the night to go with a tireless effort in defence.
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes (NSW Waratahs)
Johnson-Holmes has been a major factor in the Waratahs’ mid-season revival.
He epitomises ‘Tah Tough’, making an incredible 28 tackles with just one miss to go with three turnovers won.
This just put him over the line ahead of Tom Robertson, who was strong before his injury.
4. Jeremy Williams (Western Force)
Williams remains a key leader for the Force in their push to the finals.
The lock does a lot of the dirty work and stepped up in defence with a pair of crucial turnovers.
This was supplemented by double-digit carries and tackles in a complete 80-minute performance.
5. Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies)
Hooper was the standout for the under-strength Brumbies.
He looked damaging with his carries, stepping up with no Rob Valetini or Nick Frost.
It just earned him selection over Hugh Sinclair and Jed Holloway, who continue to make their presence known through their tireless work rate.
6. Vaiolini Ekuasi (Melbourne Rebels)
Ekuasi has thrived for the Rebels with Josh Kemeny on the sidelines.
The backrower bulldozed defenders and allowed the Rebels to win the contact battle.
He’s also an underrated worker in defence, making a team-high 23 tackles, ten more than his next teammate.
7. Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
Hooper was at his typical workhouse best.
He tackled everything that moved and willed the Waratahs home late with some great carries.
8. Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Western Force)
Warren-Vosayaco has been a great pick-up since moving west midway through the season.
He set the tempo with a brutal hit on Tamati Tua to energise the HBF Park faithful.
This was followed with a team-high 17 carries to get the Force on the front foot and inspire them to victory
9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force)
Fines-Leleiwasa gave a great reminder of his talent against his old side the Brumbies.
He was quick with his delivery and put Felix Kalapu through a hole before repeating his effort minutes later for Hamish Stewart to set up an early lead.
This just put him ahead of Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott, both excellent for their respective teams.
10. Max Burey (Western Force)
Burey has become the magic man at the Force
He suits the style of rugby Cron wants to play and really has added a new dimension to their attack, producing a man-of-the-match type performance
He was excellent for the Force in controlling the game and stepping up the challenge that the Brumbies possess.
11. Lachie Anderson (Melbourne Rebels)
The Rebels can largely thank Anderson for keeping them in the game until later, too good to leave out.
Anderson somehow stopped Sam Gilbert from scoring in the first five minutes whilst his front-on tackle on All Black Shannon Frizell was one of the game’s best to stop another.
He even came up with a key turnover with his hands in on the ball to show off the Sevens pedigree to go with some key carries.
12. Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs)
Walton thrived with Lalakai Foketi sitting on the sidelines.
The flick back to Mark Nawaqanitawase for his second was a thing of beauty whilst the 50-22 with a defender charging in at his legs was perfect.
13. Sam Spink (Western Force)
Spink was dominant for the Force in their victory.
He showed his damaging ability from in close when he ran a great line to score, cementing their fast start.
His nine carries for 63 metres were all quality and saw him just edge out Josh Flook in this team.
14. Mark Nawaqanitwase (NSW Waratahs)
Nawaqanitwase celebrated his new contract in style and likely has Waratahs officials racing for a new one to secure his services beyond 2024.
The winger finished off a great try for his second of the night as he caused the Fijians plenty of headaches.
Little plays like his charge down of Caleb Muntz’s conversion will go a long way to cementing his spot in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad.
15. Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs)
Jorgensen delivered one of the best Super Rugby performances by a teenager.
He had a hand in at least four of the Waratahs' tries to show that fullback, rather than wing, is definitely his best position.
His kicking game is already elite, he made a great try-saving tackle in the first half and broke several tackles.
