With the Brumbies on the bye and Super Round fast approaching, there were several players who stood up and delivered during round nine of Super Rugby Pacific.
The Queensland Reds produced a thrilling victory over the Melbourne Rebels, pushed until the end as they closed out the 36-32 win.
Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs blew the Western Force away after a remarkable start, earning the 41-24 victory in Perth.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round nine.
1.Angus Bell
Bell was at his brutal best as he powered the Waratahs to victory.
The loosehead's scrumagging continues to make rapid improvements as they dominated the Force whilst showing his playmaking abilities to put Edmed through a hole.
Along with this, his defensive effort was immense, recording a remarkable 20 tackles.
2.Dave Porecki
Porecki was another Waratah who embraced the defensive pressure and stood up when it counted, recording 18 tackles.
Along with this, he was the key figure at the breakdown to cause the turnover after over 25 phases of Force attack on their line, proving.
He remains a solid force at set-piece time, despite missing a throw, putting himself in prime position for a July call-up
3.Cabous Eloff
Eloff once again did everything he could to get the Rebels over the line, just coming up short.
The South African-born prop once again was damaging with ball in hand, constantly taking the ball over the advantage line whilst leading the tackle count (10) for the hosts.
This just saw him edge out Harry Johnson-Holmes and Taniela Tupou, with Tupou incredible off the bench to seal the Reds' victory
4.Fergus Lee-Warner
Lee-Warner was one of few Force players unaffected by the pre-match chaos, embracing the move to second-row.
He impressed with his 17 carries for 74 metres, recording line break, two tackle busts and two offloads.
Lee-Warner's elite work ethic ensured he just beat Angus Blyth and Ryan Smith in this team, both putting together solid performances during the Reds' win.
5. Matt Philip
Philip continues his claim to being the best lock in the country, if not in the world, producing an inspirational performance for the Rebels.
The Wallaby has become a major threat from close, scoring his second try in three games, almost single-handedly keeping the hosts in the contest.
He finished with a team-high 14 carries, five tackle busts, 60 metres and a line break to go with a crucial lineout steal.
6. Charlie Gamble
Gamble's incredible 2022 form has made him near-undroppable for the Waratahs as he stepped into the blindside flanker position with no dramas.
He produced a masterclass at the breakdown, twice coming up with crucial turnovers when the visitors were on the backfoot, including one in the 31st minute as the hosts pushed for a way back into the contest.
7. Fraser McReight
It takes a special performance to keep Michael Hooper from this side and that's what Fraser McReight produced.
McReight did it all for the Reds, blitzing the Rebels at the breakdown to set up McDermott's try in the 10th minute before finding Josh Flook with an incredible floating pass to seal the game.
He finished with three turnovers won, a try assist, two line breaks and three tackle busts to cement his position in the team.
8. Harry Wilson
Wilson was at his typical best, inspiring the Reds in defence and attack.
The backrower showed some great awareness to stay alive for McReight, finding scrumhalf Tate McDermott for the second try of the game.
He also produced a game-high 16 carries, earning his spot over the ever-impressive Will Harris and Tamati Ioane
9. Tate McDermott
McDermott continues to stake his claims to start for the Wallabies as he guided the Reds home.
His pace to outrun Matt To'omua and the Rebels' defence was elite whilst he produced the perfect pass to put a barnstorming Taniela Tupou threw a hole late in the game.
10. Tane Edmed
Edmed once again took the chance to start with open arms, producing a mature performance to guide the Waratahs home.
He sparked their attack early with a great break and pass to set up Lalakai Foketi before producing a perfect touch-finder from his halfway, leading to a rolling maul try. He capped up the breakout game with a great ball to Alex Newsome to seal the victory.
For this, he holds off opposite number Reesjan Pasitoa, who produced one of his best games for the Force, and James O'Connor after another solid performance by the Wallaby.
11.Glen Vaihu
Vaihu is the find of the year for the Rebels, once again proving near-impossible to stop for defenders.
His brutal running consistently got the hosts over the advantage line, putting the Reds on the back foot for Philip's try, as well as a nice offload to spark their attack.
12. Lalakai Foketi
Foketi often flies under the radar for the Waratahs but his showing on Saturday certainly stood out during their win over the Force.
The centre showed his finishing ability to bump off a number of defenders to cross under the posts for the first try of the game.
With plenty of competition for the Wallabies' side, Foketi did his hopes no harm during the convincing performance.
13. Hunter Paisami
Paisami was at his brutal best in attack and defence to get the Reds over the line.
His chemistry with O'Connor was on full display as he charged onto a grubber, delivering a near-perfect ball for Connor Vest to open the scoring.
Meanwhile, his defence was solid throughout the game, producing a try-saver on Reece Hodge.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Nawanitawase is making a very good case for the most improved player in Super Rugby after another elite performance on the wing.
His game-awareness and speed to snatch Ian Prior's intercept was incredible whilst he was a handful to tackle whenever he touched the ball.
Nawanitawase also delivered a great hit on Manasa Mataele to stop the hulking Fijian, along with a great tackle before the break to set up the turnover.
15. Alex Newsome
Newsome embraced the move back to fullback and was steady for the Waratahs during the victory.
His positioning remains one of the best in the game, crossing for a double to help the visitors secure the victory.
This saw him just edge out Jordan Petaia and his replacement Lawson Creighton in the squad.
