Round 15 of Super Rugby Pacific saw the entire competition flipped on its head as it prepares to crown an inaugural champion.
The Melbourne Rebels and Western Force were the two standouts from the Australian sides, upsetting the Highlanders and Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, the Waratahs were defeated on the bell by the Blues whilst the Reds and Brumbies will be disappointed by their defeats to the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.auhas selected the best from the Australian sides for round 15.
1,Tom Robertson
A perfect reminder to Wallabies selectors as Robertson dominated his opposite man.
He showed little sign of fatigue from Tuesday’s win when he broke through the line just after the second half, several key carries in the victory over the Hurricanes
2. Richie Asiata
Asiata stepped up for the Reds against a formidable Crusaders pack.
He was quickly inserted into the match for Matt Faessler after his nasty collision and opened the scoring in the 50th minute as he barged over the line.
The hooker was also near-perfect at lineout time to go with 15 tackles in defence.
3. Santiago Medrano
Medrano joins his fellow prop after an inspirational performance for the Force.
He was close to the best on ground, producing a brutal all-round performance that saw him crash over the line to start the comeback.
Along with this, he was reliable as ever in defence, forcing several turnovers.
4. Matt Philip
Philip was again electric for the Rebels, charging from the front as they secured the victory.
The lock showed off all of his tricks in attack, breaking tacklers at will whilst keeping the play alive with a couple of offloads.
For this, he just edges out Ryan McCauley and Jeremy Thrush, both arguably producing their best games of the season for the Force.
5. Darcy Swain
Swain was one of the Brumbies’ best in their disappointing defeat to Moana Pasifika.
He set the tempo with an early lineout steal inside 30 seconds, coming up with several turnovers as well as 13 tackles.
6. Fergus Lee-Warner
Lee-Warner ended his stint with the Force in style, carrying them to victory in both attack and defence.
The backrower was everywhere in defence, recording 20 tackles whilst delivering carry after carry.
For this, he just beats out Charlie Gamble in the squad as the Waratah continues his breakout form.
7. Brad Wilkin
This was by far the toughest selection for the week with four worth candidates but Brad Wilkin is in a rich vein of form and earned selection.
Wilkin has been the Rebels’ best over the past month as he wins countless turnovers at ruck-time whilst producing several key tackles.
This was no different as he stepped up in defence and attack, helping the hosts get home in a thriller.
Fraser McReight was a narrow second, the Reds’ best in their loss to the Crusaders whilst Tim Anstee was strong and Michael Hooper was Michael Hooper.
8. Harry Wilson
Wilson continues to deliver for the Reds despite the defeat.
He made a game-high 18 carries to go with a try, two offloads and three tackle busts.
For this, the Wallaby just holds out Jackson Pugh after yet another strong start for the Force, with Pete Samu also producing a great shift for the Brumbies.
9. Ian Prior
Prior celebrated his 100th game for the Force with one of his best performances for the club.
The scrum half constantly provided reliable ball for his backline and fired the perfect ball to set up Medrano’s try.
He was also near-perfect with the boot, proving crucial in the end as he beats out Jake Gordon and James Tuttle in this squad.
10. Tane Edmed
Edmed built on his breakout season as he nearly guided the Waratahs to victory.
The flyhalf controlled the attack and marshalled his troops around the park, looking damaging whenever he took the ball to the line.
He was also red hot with the boot, slotting the game-sealer with three minutes to go as well as a couple from the sideline
11. Lukas Ripley
Ripley continues to shine for the Rebels, backing up his hat-trick with another exciting showing.
He looks electric whenever he touches the ball, recovering from a nasty tackle to produce a juggling act, diving try and give the Rebels the lead.
The teenager looms as a key piece of their future on the wing alongside Glen Vaihu, who was also a standout in the victory.
12. Kyle Godwin
Godwin delivered a monster effort from the bench, called on early after the concussion to Richard Kahui.
He produced a game-high 23 tackles as the Hurricanes looked to target the departing centre, with the former Wallaby holding strong.
Along with this, he produced a team-high 13 carries as he willed his team to victory.
13. Alex Newsome
Newsome has embraced the move to the centres, stepping up in Izaia Perese’s absence.
He burnt his man on a number of occasions, showing the under-rated pace to get the Waratahs constantly on the attack.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Mark Nawaqanitawase has made it a habit of taking over games just after the break.
With their attack struggling to fire, the winger found himself in the right place at the right time to finish off a great pass from fellow winger Dylan Pietsch.
He then pulled off one of the finishes of the year five minutes later to find himself in the corner to solidify the lead.
Even his effort late to reclaim the kick off was elite and further evidence of his incredible transformation in 2022.
15. Nick Jooste
Jooste took the chance to start with open arms, spearheading the Rebels attack.
He was denied a try in the first five minutes but couldn’t in the second half as he burst through the line, showing great pace to dive in the corner.
The 24-year-old finished with four tackle busts from his seven carries, helping the Rebels end their year on a high
