Round 11 saw a number of Australian teams pull off statement victories, with several players stepping up in Super Rugby Pacific
No team delivered this more than the Waratahs, upsetting the 12-time champions Crusaders at Leichhardt Oval.
Meanwhile, the Rebels and Brumbies were dominant in their victories over Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes respectively whilst the Reds and Force produced valiant efforts in defeat.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round 11.
1.Scott Sio
Sio continues his mid-season form revival, powering the Brumbies to victory.
He remains a solid force at scrum-time whilst producing a number of key tackles to keep the Hurricanes out.
The loosehead also showed off the playmaking abilities to find Rob Valetini, setting up his great chip and chase try.
2.Mahe Vailanu
Vailanu embraced the opportunity to start in his first Super Rugby game, producing a solid showing for the Waratahs when they most needed it.
Whilst they were shaky at the scrum, Vailanu was reliable with his delivery at line-out, however, had his most impact with ball in hand as he delivered several impactful carries.
He just edges out Lachlan Lonergan, who has made the starting spot his own for the Brumbies in a congested hooking department.
3. Cabous Eloff
Eloff remains a consistent shining light for the Rebels, once again powering them to victory.
He stepped up against an experience Pasifika scrum, earning a number of penalties and providing the perfect platform for James Hanson and their rolling maul to crash over twice in the first half.
4. Jed Holloway
The lock was at his brilliant best, inspirational in their win over the Crusaders.
Holloway is the central figure in their maul and goal-line defence, coming up with a number of clutch plays to hold out the Aotearoa champions before and after half-time even down a man.
For this, he earns selection over Rob Leota, who shined in just his second start of the season.
5. Darcy Swain
Swain has found another level against the Kiwi sides, becoming the anchor of this Brumbies pack.
His work at maul time is starting to get the recognition it deserves, a wizard at breaking down any potential attacking opportunity in an era where the Kiwi teams are turning to it more and more.
Swain just did enough to hold off Izack Rodda and Angus Blyth, both inspirational in defeats for the Force and Reds.
6. Charlie Gamble
It was the toughest choice of the week but Charlie Gamble's all-around performance just did enough to hold out Rob Valetini and his freakish try.
Gamble once again led the Waratahs with 21 tackles and continues to be a major threat over the ball.
He ultimately sealed victory in the 77th minute with the hosts out on their feet and looking vulnerable to one final Crusaders attack, getting himself over the ball to force the penalty and the turnover.
7. Fraser McReight
McReight continues to deliver solid performance for the Queensland Reds, making his case for a recall to the Wallabies set-up.
He provided the key carry to set up Harry Wilson's dart from close range whilst was once again a menace over the ball.
8. Michael Wells
A true captain's knock from Wells, who has really stepped up for the Rebels over the past 6 weeks.
On both attack and defence, the skipper produced several key moments which were ultimately the difference as they look to build momentum.
It was his break that set up Andrew Kellaway's try to seal the win whilst he was somehow denied a well-deserved try just before the break
9. Tate McDermott
McDermott took it upon himself to keep the Reds in the fight against the Chiefs, at his darting best in the narrow defeat.
His solo work to set up Josh Flook was elite, turning nothing into something as he raced away from several defenders to put the winger in the corner.
On any given week, any of the five starting scrumhalves could have found themselves in this team such was the quality across the weekend, with Nic White and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa especially coming close to selection.
10. Carter Gordon
Gordon embraced the opportunity to start in To'omua's absence, guiding the Rebels around the park with ease.
He showed great presence to hold up the play and find Reece Hodge, putting the fullback through a gaping home for their third try of the game.
However, his shining moment came late in the contest with a Gregan-esque tackle on Lincoln McClutchie to prevent a certain try in the corner.
11. Dylan Pietsch
This was by far Pietsch's best performance in the 15-a-side game, a true man-of-the-match performance.
Whilst he has conceded in the past he is still learning the nuances of the wing, his opening touch was all Sevens, racing off the wing and bursting away with several Crusaders defenders to score under the posts.
He finished the game with three line breaks, ten tackle busts, 134 metres and a try.
12. Irae Simone
Simone continues to shine in a stacked Brumbies backline, integral to the victory over the Hurricanes.
He was at his brutal best to set up Jahrome Brown's try, breaking the line before finding Tom Wright in support.
He was also their leading tackler once again, proving the crucial link in preventing teams from building any continuity and width in attack.
13. Izaia Perese
Izaia Perese stepped up when it mattered for the Waratahs, delivering a barnstorming performance.
He showed his class in the first half, breaking a tackle and attracting two others to leave Mark Nawaqanitawase un-marked in the corner, delivering a picture-perfect offload to set up the try.
14. Tom Wright
Wright relished the move to wing as he bounced back from his mixed performance last week.
He showed great awareness to back up Simone's break, throwing the final pass to put Brown over the line.
Wright also continues to get the ball over the advantage line with several key carries, just edging out Mark Nawaqanitawase in this side.
15. Reece Hodge
Hodge has really found another level against the Kiwi sides, impressive in the past fortnight after a slow start to the season.
He was crucial in their comeback victory, diving across the line after burning his defender to start the second half.
Hodge also threw the lofting pass to set up Andrew Kellaway in the corner, sealing the hard-fought victory.
