Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific delivered a high-scoring weekend as players made their final pitch before Eddie Jones named his first Wallabies.
The ACT Brumbies were the lone winners from the Australian sides, holding off the NSW Waratahs in a thriller.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force pushed the Fijian Drua and Hurricanes respectively whilst the Queensland Reds just fell away against the Crusaders.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round six.
1.James Slipper (ACT Brumbies)
A brutal display from the Wallabies skipper to get the Brumbies over the line.
Completely demolished the Waratahs scrum to the point replacement tight head Dan Botha found himself sitting for ten after a barrage of penalties.
Also carried the ball with real intent to cross for a double, the second a barn-storming run over Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase
2. Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
‘Noss’ continues to deliver for the Brumbies.
He was dynamic across the park and put his hand for a plethora of crucial tackles (16).
His work at scrum-time is under-rated whilst recreating his Wales heroics with a fortunate try
3. Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies)
Alaalatoa completes the all-Brumbies front-row after yet another reliable performance.
He was reliable as ever in attack and defence along with keeping calm to lead the Brumbies' home
4. Jed Holloway (NSW Waratahs)
When the Waratahs needed a spark, Holloway was there to deliver it.
The Wallaby stepped up to respond to the Brumbies' powerful set-piece game, disrupting their line-out constantly.
With the Waratahs down two players, it was the new dad that commanded the ball and eventually found his way over the line for a well-deserved try.
5. Ned Hanigan (NSW Waratahs)
Likewise with Holloway, Hanigan was at his best in the grudge match with the Brumbies.
He was flawless in defence with a team-high 15 tackles to go with several key carries across the gain line.
Hanigan also showed great hands to put Michael Hooper through for the opener, the deciding factor in his selection over former teammate Jeremy Williams
6. Pete Samu (ACT Brumbies)
Samu had to find his way into the team even if the number on his jersey said eight.
The backrower was all quality for the Brumbies, constantly terrorising the Waratahs in attack and defence.
He caught them napping for a brutal try off the back of the scrum to go with several well-timed offloads.
7. Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
Hooper is a big game player and stepped up to the occasion against the Brumbies.
Forget the desperate knock-down, the flanker was crucial in disrupting the breakdown and dragging the hosts into the type of game the Waratahs wanted to play.
He also ran a great line to set up Dylan Pietsch’s try whilst tackled everything that moved.
For this, he earns selection over Fraser McReight, once again elite for the Reds over the ball and in defence.
8. Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds)
Harry Wilson has an enormous work-rate, on full display for the Reds against the Crusaders.
He set the tempo with a great line and two clean breaks inside the first five minutes of the game before setting up McDermott in the 31st minute.
The number eight also made 10 tackles on top of his 18 runs for 104m.
9. Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds)
McDermott provided the energy needed to match it with the Crusaders.
He was constantly hunting around the breakdown for space and ended up with a team-high four broken tackles, showing great support work to finish off Wilson’s break.
His grubber for Jordan Petaia’s try in the 60th minute showed outstanding awareness, earning selection in a strong week for scrum halves that saw Jake Gordon, Gareth Simpson and both Brumbies nines shine.
10. Carter Gordon (Melbourne Rebels)
Gordon willed the Rebels back into the contest against the Fijian Drua.
Eddie Jones spoke of his fight on Sunday as the young playmaker took the ball to the line against the ferocious Drua defence, perfectly summarised in his work to set up Kellaway’s try.
His work late was rewarded with a try to earn a razor-thin decision over Jake Strachan, who transformed the Force attack when he came on the field
11. Dylan Pietsch (NSW Waratahs)
Pietsch adds crucial spark to the Waratahs attack.
He constantly bounces off tacklers and was in the right place at the right time to score the Waratahs' opener.
Pietsch also showed his Sevens instincts to win several key turnovers, including a crucial pilfer when the Waratahs were down to 13, kick-starting the movement for Holloway's try.
Rebels winger Andrew Kellaway was also solid in his brief stint off the bench, proving why he is one of the first selected for the Wallabies on his day
12. Tamati Tua (ACT Brumbies)
Tua is slowly becoming one of the more important members of the Brumbies backline, winning a points decision over Lalakai Foketi.
The grubber for Ikitau was picture-perfect to go with a team-high 15 carries for 60 tough metres.
Foketi was likewise strong with a try and almost a double, only to be pulled down late by Corey Toole.
13. Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies)
Ikitau celebrated a wild week with a world-class performance for the hosts.
It may have only lasted a half due to an ongoing calf niggle but the outside centre was arguably one of the best on the ground as he terrorised the Waratahs.
He produced a great try-saver on Izaia Perese before latching onto a grubber from Tamati Tua
14. Jordan Petaia (Queensland Reds)
Petaia continues to shine for the Reds.
No back on the field had more than his 15 ball carries on Friday, eager for work as he constantly hunted for the ball.
What has significantly improved is his kicking, constantly getting the hosts out of danger with his booming boot.
For this, he just holds out Mark Nawaqanitawase, who produced his own magical chip and chase to keep the Waratahs in the contest.
15. Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs)
Jorgensen relishes the big games.
Not many teenagers can burst past the likes of Ben O’Donnell and then hold their own with Corey Toole but the fullback did just that to put Lalakai Foketi over the line.
He looked calm at the back and has continued his form from round one for a well-deserved Wallabies call-up
