Another week and another big weekend for the Australian sides, as they were excellent during Round Six of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific.
The Queensland Reds set the benchmark with a crucial win over the Highlanders before the NSW Waratahs stunned the ACT Brumbies.
Catch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific and Women's live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The Western Force ensured all four Aussie teams finished the week in the top six thanks to a thumping win over the Fijian Drua.
Rugby.com.au selects its Team of the Week from the Australian teams for Round Six.
Hodgman was a scrummaging monster for the Reds and turned the tide with his impact.
The replacement came on and demolished Saula Ma’u to draw penalty after penalty to get them into field position to take the lead and win the game.
One of the best scrum showings of 2025.
Dolly was on fire for the Force and had a hat-trick before the half-time whistle had been blown.
His lineout throwing was superb. He did not miss a throw and capitalised on several overthrown lineouts by the Drua to score a crafty try.
It was a big week for the hookers, with Richie Asiata and Julian Heaven both superb after playing big minutes.
Nonggorr’s efforts were not as obvious as Hodgman but he was impressive against the All Blacks starter in Ethan de Groot.
Nonggorr kept the pressure on the Highlanders star all afternoon and was eventually rewarded with the penalty that set up Filipo Daugunu’s try.
He was also flawless in defence, beating out Allan Alaalatoa for selection.
Frost was superb across the park for the Brumbies in the defeat.
He had the Waratahs’ number at lineout time, stealing three whilst not having one of their lineouts pinched.
Frost was their second leading tackler with 15 without a miss too go with two breakdown steals.
Blyth showed the quality that won him his Wallabies debut last year.
The big second-rower got the Reds off to a flyer when he set Kalani Thomas free into space for the opener whilst shutting down the Highlanders in the middle of the park.
Blyth did enough to earn selection ahead of Jeremy Williams, who was a menace at home.
Leota is back to the form that made him a Wallabies regular.
He showed great skill in bulldozing his way over the line for a try while having nice hands to set Teddy Wilson into space for their opener.
The back-rower was also the main read at lineout, capping off a great all-round performance.
Tizzano’s freakish try-scoring start continues as the flanker scores them for fun in 2025.
His double puts Tizzano at eight for the year, two clear of Sevu Reece and Macca Springer.
Once again, he lead the Force for tackles (18) and had double-digit carries (10).
Wilson lifted massively for his side as he took over the captaincy and led from the front.
In a crucial clash with 11 carries, 14 tackles without a miss, a late turnover and his clutch kick to set up Daugunu's second try.
Given a rare chance to start with Tate McDermott rested, Thomas sparked the Reds with an outstanding 71-minute stint.
He was unstoppable in the opening quarter, beating two defenders for the first try whilst breaking three further tackles across the game.
On top of this, he made the perfect read to put Filipo Daugunu through for a crucial try in the second half.
Donaldson is making a real case to start against the Lions.
The Force star picked apart the Drua in a 17-point haul that saw him score and create two further line breaks.
Jorgensen is quickly rising up the ranks as one of the best wingers in Super Rugby Pacific.
His chip and grubber to set Joey Walton up was one of the best bits of skill in 2025 as he worked hard all night.
Jorgensen narrowly beats out teammate Triston Reilly, who was excellent in his second start of the year.
Walton is a bit of an unsung hero of the Waratahs backline but deserves praise for his work on the weekend.
He scored what would be the game-sealing try and set up Leota’s try in the first half.
The midfield just edges out Hunter Paisami, who had some big moments against the Highlanders.
Daugunu is loving life in the midfield and was everywhere for the Reds in the clutch situations.
He scored two tries in the second half as the Reds capitalised on the yellow card, with Daugunu showing great awareness for his second to dot it down untouched.
The centre narrowly earns selection over Len IKitau, who gave the Waratahs trouble all night.
All the wizardry puns in the world can’t do the impact that Harry Potter has had on the Force justice.
His try in the 28th minute was one of the best of the year, breaking several defenders before sprinting away under the posts.
In total, he had four line breaks, ten tackle busts, 156 metres carries and a double.
Grealy has found a home at the back for the Force.
The fullback was the key link in the Force’s dominant start with three line break assists and a try assist.
