Round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific was dominated by the Australian teams.
The Queensland Reds produced the upset of the year after defeating the Chiefs, followed by the Western Force accounting for the Fijian Drua.
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The NSW Waratahs were too strong for the Melbourne Rebels as the Brumbies surged home to defeat the Highlanders.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round 12
1 Te Tera Faulkner (NSW Waratahs)
Another dominant outing for the veteran loosehead.
He nullified the effectiveness of an all-Wallaby front-row at scrum-time whilst helping the Waratahs rumble over the line twice via the rolling maul
2. Folau Fainga'a (Western Force)
Folau Fainga’a’s return was a welcome one, delivering the perfect audition to Eddie Jones.
He kept his head to resist the temptation for a second shot at the line inches out, which allowed Manasa Mataele to cross a phase later. Minutes later, he bumped off the defenders to get his own.
Fainga’a also remains the king of the rolling maul, with the Force instantly marching forward when the hooker attached as he picked the right moment to split and score.
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes (NSW Waratahs)
Johnson-Holmes joins his Waratah teammate Faulkner yet again as he continues his strong form.
The tighthead is a weapon at scrum-time and got the better of Matt Gibbon a number of times.
He also recorded double-digit tackles along with a crucial turnover at ruck-time.
4. Connor Vest (Queensland Reds)
Vest worked tirelessly for the Reds in a famous victory.
He got through a mountain of work with an incredible 20 tackles to go with several gutsy carries in an 80+ minute performance.
For this, he just holds out Jeremy Williams after yet another starring performance for the Force vice-captain.
5. Jed Holloway (NSW Waratahs)
Holloway was a menace for the Waratahs, helping them fight back and overcome the Rebels.
His presence at lineout time caused disruption for Jordan Uelese and co with a pair of steals along with two further turnovers.
He also ran a great line to suck in the defence and allow Ben Donaldson to slice through, setting up Izaia Perese
6. Liam Wright (Queensland Reds)
A true captain’s knock from Wright.
He willed the Reds home with his excellent defence and elite work ethic.
Wright made 23 tackles on the night in a stoic performance for the co-captain.
When the game was on the line, it was the flanker that put his body where no one else was willing to, re-gathering the ball to set up the game-winning penalty.
7. Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)
McReight continues to press his World Cup claims with another world-class game for the Reds.
He made 15 key tackles, including the one late to hold up Tyrone Thompson over the line, to go with his usual elite work at the breakdown.
This just sees him edge out Carlo Tizzano, who shone for the Force on his return to HBF Park
8. Pete Samu (ACT Brumbies)
Samu keeps getting better for the Brumbies.
After confirming his departure to France, the number eight stepped up when the Brumbies needed him with two key tries in the second half.
He also got through considerable work on and off the ball to earn selection over Richard Hardwick.
9. Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds)
McDermott wins the battle this week over Jake Gordon as the two nines trade world-class performances.
The Reds co-captain rallied his side into the match with a great dart before the break as he did everything he could to keep them in the contest.
Gordon worked similarly tirelessly for the Waratahs, including a great piece of play to steal the line out and run 50 metres to score.
However, McDermott’s impact was just enough to earn him the nod.
10. Ben Donaldson (NSW Waratahs)
Donaldson narrowly gets the decision over Carter Gordon in another great week for the flyhalf hopefuls in Australia.
It was a tight decision but Donaldson really seemed to control the game via his boot, whether it was from the hand or off the tee.
His great individual play late helped secure the bonus point for the Waratahs after Gordon’s impactful first quarter looked to have swung the game to the Rebels.
11. Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies)
Toole flipped the game on his head for the Brumbies and helped deliver a solid win over the Highlanders.
His burst down the wing opened the game up and whilst Tom Wright couldn’t finish, the former Sevens star did it all himself with his long-range chip-and-regather try from 50m out.
He finished the night with four clean breaks and his Wallaby stock continuing to rise.
12. James O'Connor (Queensland Reds)
O’Connor stepped up for the Reds when they needed him the most.
He controlled the game early via his boot and marshalled their attack with a maturing half to his left and a winger playing out of position to his right.
This was perfectly displayed when he held the defence and created the overlap for Jock Campbell’s try, proving the difference.
O’Connor holds off Ollie Sapsford, who was a rock in defence to go with some nice offloads to set up a try.
13. Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies)
Ikitau is hitting form at the right time.
His finish in the corner showed the under-rated strength and ability to win that contact battle and dictate where the play flows from here.
He threatened with every carry and earned selection over Filipo Daugunu.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (NSW Waratahs)
Nawaqanitawase gave a perfect reminder of his talent against the Rebels
The finishing ability was on full display to break the tackle of Andrew Kellaway and somehow find the line.
He was busy throughout the night with 10 carries and continues to get better as the season progresses.
15. Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)
Jock Campbell enjoyed his time back at No.15 in the absence of Jordan Petaia
His trusty boot helped the Reds win the kicking battle, he made a fingertip pick-up in the dewy conditions for a key try, he made a pilfer when the Reds were defending and generally got involved.
His 17 runs for 114m was the work rate the Reds needed plus those two tackles at the death earned him the nod over Andrew Kellaway
