Round five of Super Rugby Pacific threw up some tense encounters as time runs out to make a statement before the first Wallabies camp under Eddie Jones in a couple of weeks.
The big winners from the weekend were the Rebels, coming away with the win over the Queensland Reds in a slugfest.
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Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and Western Force all fell to their New Zealand counterparts.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round five.
1.Matt Gibbon (Melbourne Rebels)
Another standout game from the loosehead as he continues the type of form that earned him a Wallabies debut last year
He sets the tempo up front with some brutal carries, with his burrow over just before the half-time siren earning a well-deserved try.
Gibbon was also rock solid in defence with 11 tackles, no misses to earn selection
2. Alex Mafi (Melbourne Rebels)
Mafi joins his Rebels teammate after impressing against his old side.
He was everywhere for the hosts when needed, including setting up Joe Pincus’ try with quick hands to Monty Ioane, as they secured a much-needed victory.
He just edges out Dave Porecki and Matt Faessler, who both were solid in their respective defeats.
3. Santiago Medrano (Western Force)
Santiago Medrano kept the Force in the contest with a tireless performance
He came up with a couple of crucial turnovers to get the visitors out of trouble as the Blues attacked their line
The Argentinan International dominated at scrum time, delivering a lesson to young prop Josh Fusitua.
Harry Johnson-Holmes was one of the Waratahs best against the Chiefs, adding much-needed presence around the breakdown to go with some crucial tackles
4. Cadeyrn Neville (ACT Brumbies)
Neville led from the front in an inexperienced Brumbies pack.
He lifted the load in attack with no Valetini, Samu and Slipper, delivering 10 solid carries whilst working overtime in defence
5. Ryan Smith (Queensland Reds)
Smith remains one of the more under-rated players in Australian Rugby
His pull-back in the final minutes will be the lasting memory but it should not attract from a standout performance as one of the Reds’ best on the night.
Smith showed the under-rated athleticism to level the scores with 30 to go whilst leading the Reds for tackles (14) and turnovers (two) to go with three offloads.
6. Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies)
The Brumbies flanker did everything in his power to get the visitors back into the contest.
He led the game for tackles (20) along with getting them on the front foot constantly with nine carries for 34m.
The standout was the cut-out ball to Corey Toole which would’ve made any playmaker proud to give them hope in the final minutes, just edging out Josh Kemeny after yet another positive outing coming back from injury
7. Brad Wilkin (Melbourne Rebels)
Wilkin once again proved a nightmare again at the breakdown for the Rebels
He nullified the effectiveness of Fraser McReight whilst showcasing his work ethic with a remarkable 24 tackles.
Wilkin continues to get better and looms as a major Wallabies bolter.
8. Vaiolini Ekuasi (Melbourne Rebels)
Ekuasi is slowly firming as the buy of the year for the Rebels, producing a breakout performance.
The Auckland number eight was brutal in attack, skinning the Reds’ backline to dive over just before the break.
He produced the impact needed in his 10 carries for 63m, three tackle busts to go with 14 tackles and a key turnover won
9. Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Lonergan is another with firm Wallabies aspirations doing his chance little harm
He was poised despite the plethora of stars missing around him and his dart from the base of the ruck for their opener was a perfect example of his elite Rugby IQ.
Lonergan was also a sharpshooter with the boot, just holding onto selection over Jake Gordon
10. Carter Gordon (Melbourne Rebels)
Another week, another elite game from the breakout star of 2023.
He defends strongly in the frontline and his kick has more distance than many fellow No.10 contenders as he went near perfect from the tee.
Along with this, his attacking game continues to grow, symbolised by his work to set up Matt Gibbon’s try, as he guided the Rebels to victory like a seasoned veteran.
11. Monty Ioane (Melbourne Rebels)
Ioane delivered on his hype as the Italian international searched for work.
He racked up a remarkable 144 running metres from 15 carries, which saw him beat multiple defenders.
The winger found himself in the perfect position to set up a hat-trick of tries, whether it was an offload to Ryan Louwrens or quick hands to find Pincus or Ekuasi
12. Tamati Tua (ACT Brumbies)
Tua continues to develop into a nice Irae Simone replacement as he produced a powerful game for the Brumbies.
His 11 carries were full of impact, breaking three defenders as he constantly proved a handful for the Crusaders defence.
13. Sam Spink (Western Force)
Sam Spink’s first 80-minute performance was full of classy touches.
He worked tirelessly with 15 carries for 95 metres, headlined by a break late in the game to set up Zach Kibirige’s try
He was also one of a plethora of Force defenders to record double-digit tackles to hold out Stacey Ili in a razor-thin decision
14. Jordan Petaia (Queensland Reds)
Petaia showed his versatility with a confident performance on the wing to just beat out Toni Pulu.
His footwork close to the line for his first try was perfect, only matched by the step and fend for his second to start the comeback.
He finished the game with four tackle busts from his eight runs, just holding out the 34-year-old Pulu who looked dangerous for the Force.
15. Joe Pincus (Melbourne Rebels)
Pincus is another Aussie Sevens convert who has taken the next step in 2023.
He has brought his trial form into the regular season with a dynamic performance at the back, headlined by his try late in the game.
Pincus finished with four tackle busts, two clean breaks to go with a pair of offloads and 110 running metres.
