SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific continues to find new levels to go through and Round Four was no different.
The ACT Brumbies set the tempo with a thrilling win over the Blues to end a decade long drought in Auckland.
Watch every game of Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs were too much for the Western Force whilst the Queensland Reds went down to the Crusaders.
Rugby.com.au selects its Team of the Week for Round Four from the Australian teams.
Bell has been a fixture in these teams, but his 69-minute performance might have been his best all year.
The loosehead was incredible across the field, making a game-high six tackle busts and 13 carries.
He was also one of several Waratahs not to miss a tackle with 11, edging out James Slipper, who was superb.
Lonergan made sure his 50th game would be celebrated in style as he beefed up the Brumbies’ front-row.
The hooker was solid across the park in his first start of the year with double-digit tackles and a near-perfect 5/6 lineout throws.
Alaalatoa has lifted to meet the growing competition at tight-head, producing a captain’s knock.
He delivered a crucial try to keep the Brumbies in the game, just his fifth in Super Rugby history.
In addition, his efforts late in his stint to turn Ofa Tu’ungafasi inside at scrum-time for the penalty set the tempo and picture for what would come late in the game.
In a tough game for the Reds, Josh Canham was big for the visitors in their quest to go back-to-back in Christchurch.
The lock has freakish athleticism and unleashed it in the 22nd minute with a brilliant burst and bump off, setting up Filipo Daugunu’s opening try.
He also kept the play flowing with four offloads to go with a solid afternoon at lineout time.
Grant is an unsung hero for the Waratahs but the former Hurricane was excellent in the win.
Whilst the focus will be on their attacking flair, Grant got through a ton of work in the middle to set it up.
He led the team for tackles (17), including four thumping dominant tackles, whilst nullifying the effectiveness of Darcy Swain’s lineout magic.
This was one of the best games by a blindside in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
Hooper delivered the type of performance that saw him picked for the 2023 World Cup, basing Blues all night with 19 tackles whilst proving a menace at the breakdown with three turnovers.
He took a bunch of tough carries when the Brumbies needed someone to stand up, recording a game-high 20 to see them home.
Scott’s partnership with Hooper was deadly all night, dragging the Brumbies to victory.
The flanker was right there with Hooper all night in the trenches, making 21 tackles to lead the match.
This and two crucial turnovers, including one that led to Declan Meredith’s try, positioned him as a standout choice despite solid performances from Carlo Tizzano and Charlie Gamble.
Wilson did everything in his power to will the Reds home against the Crusaders.
He was everywhere in attack with 20 carries, two line breaks, a try assist for Filipo Daugunu and a try of his own.
The sheer weight of output set him clear of Charlie Cale, who was excellent for the Brumbies.
McDermott created attacking opportunities for the Reds right until the end.
His left foot kick to Daugunu was excellent to spark their attack whilst pushing the pace all afternoon.
Meredith stepped up for an incredible performance to break the Eden Park drought.
His kicking game was excellent all night as he cleared the Brumbies out of their own line several times.
He followed this up with a crucial second-half try to get the Brumbies within two.
This was one of Lancaster’s best games since moving to the Waratahs.
He showcased his rapid pace as he combined with Max Jorgensen for a great try, breaking multiple tackles to the line.
His defence was also rock solid, highlighted by a perfect tackle on Harry Potter that dumped him into touch.
Stewart was one of the shining lights on a tough night for the Force.
He was always creating opportunities and looked damaging in the middle of the field, thanks to five tackle busts.
The centre was the only Force player in the double digits for carries (11) whilst also recording 10 tackles.
Daugunu was solid in his return to the centres in Josh Flook’s absence.
He looked like the Reds’ most damaging weapon on multiple occasions, scoring a great try in the corner to get them on the board.
In total, he finished with five tackle busts and two line breaks from his 14 carries.
Max Jorgensen continues to make his name known as one of the hardest-working wingers in the game.
It’s an excellent sign of development for a young winger, typified by his excellent work to ready the intercept opportunity and sprint away for his second try.
His opener was also quality, beating fellow Wallaby Dylan Pietsch to find his way over the line. However, he was denied a quality hat-trick when his chip and chase was brought back for a forward pass.
Kellaway orchestrated from the back perfectly for the Waratahs.
He ran the perfect line every time as he recorded two line breaks and two tackle busts.
