The final Round of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU finished with a bang after two back-and-forth classics.
It started with an emotional win for the Western Force over the previously unbeaten Reds, booking their spot in the finals for the first time ever.
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Meanwhile, the Rebels retained the Weary Dunlop Shield against the Waratahs despite receiving two red cards.
But who stood out and made our Team of the Week?
1. Tom Robertson
Robertson had one of the toughest tasks in World Rugby: going head-to-head with Taniela Tupou. With the Force needing a big performance, their unheralded signing stepped up and provided some much-needed stability at scrum time along with 13 tackles and a forced turnover.
2. Feleti Kaitu’u
Basically copy and paste from last week. Kaitu’u rise up the hooking ranks is one of the main talking points of this side as once again, the Queensland-born hooker found the line as he continues to show his dominance when it comes to set pieces.
3. Taniela Tupou
Tupou manages to find new ways to stun fans even in a losing effort. From a barnstorming run that would make David Fifita proud to a deft behind-the-back flick past to Fraser McReight, Tupou manages to defy what it is expected form a 135kgs front-rower.
4. Rob Leota
The under-rated member of the ‘burn boys’, Leota finally got his chance to showcase his ability as he guided the Rebels' pack to victory. With players falling around him, Leota stepped up when it mattered, doing it all as he capped the MOTM performance with a try.
5. Sitaleki Timani
Timani continues to do his Wallabies hopes no harms as he remains an integral part of the Force’s finals campaign. Once again, he led his side in carries during the thrilling win, along with stealing a line-out at a crucial time. Special mention to Angus Scott-Young, who just missed out despite making 18 tackles during the loss.
6. Michael Wells
Going up against his old side, Wells played with a point to prove. He thrived out of his usual number eight position, putting in an enormous shift in the forward pack, finishing off a nice move to wrap up an impressive performance.
7. Carlo Tizzano
Tizzano is one of the few bright spots for the Waratahs after their winless season. He tried to will his side to victory in attack and defence, putting together another impressive defensive performance as well as scooting over for a rare try.
8. Harry Wilson
Whilst the Wright/McReight combo has dominated the limelight over the past month, Wilson once again showed his value to the Reds and Australian Rugby during the loss. He made an incredible 16 tackles without missing once, along with making eight carries and multiple line-out wins.
9. Tomas Cubelli
Cubelli continues to cause headaches for defences as he guides the Force to an unlikely finals appearance. He seemed to find space whenever he touched the ball, keeping the play going on multiple occasions as well as controlling field position late with his kicking game.
10. Matt To’omua
There’s something about playing the Waratahs that brings the best out of Matt To’ouma. He immediately put on a try inside 40 seconds with a deft kick to Stacey Ili, setting the tone in the contest. He finished with 16 points to go with the assist and multiple tackle busts.
11. Jordan Olowofela
When the Force made the decision to elevate the Englishman to the starting side, captain Kyle Godwin called Olowofela their ‘secret weapon’. Like the 23-year-old, that secret is long gone as he finished with 3 tries, 4 tackle busts and 142 metres.
12. Izaia Perese
Before it’s mentioned, yes, Perese played 13 but he needed to be in this team after another incredible performance. The former Red looms as a serious Wallabies bolter after his latest outstanding showing for the Waratahs, the highlight being his ridiculous offload to Mark Nawaqanitawase for his try.
13. Tevita Kuridrani
It was a toss up between him and Paisami and whilst the yellow card hurt the Force, he more than made up for it towards the end of the game. That hit on Paisami changed the momentum and arguably won the game for the Force, shutting down his opposite number after a slow start
14. Filipo Daugunu
Daugunu’s explosiveness was impossible to stop at stages of the game. He finished with 82 metres, two line-breaks, six tackle busts to go with his try as he attempts to push his way into the Reds’ starting side for the final.
15. Jack Maddocks
Maddocks has stepped up for the Waratahs at the back, producing another quality performance. He was unlucky to miss out last week but did more than enough to be selected this week, making 16 carries for 119 metres, 3 line breaks, five tackle busts and a try.
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