Round four of Super Rugby Pacific gave a great indication of where the Australian teams sit in 2023.
The ACT Brumbies cemented their status as a title contender with an entertaining win over Moana Pasifika as the Queensland Reds survived a scare from Fijian Drua.
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Meanwhile, the Western Force will feel like they let a win slip against the Highlanders whilst the Rebels and Waratahs were disappointed after their defeats to the Chiefs and Hurricanes respectively.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round three.
1.James Slipper (ACT Brumbies)
Carted the ball constantly over the advantage line in a physical Brumbies win.
He also got the better of his counterpart at scrum time as the hosts continue their perfect start.
Slipper will need to be at his best against the Crusaders on Friday.
2. Alex Mafi (Melbourne Rebels)
Alex Mafi is thriving down at the Rebels, making up for missing the majority of 2022.
He was solid at set-piece time for the Rebels against an experienced Chiefs pack, rewarded with an early try.
For this, he edges out Tom Horton and Connal McInerney, who both delivered solid outings
3. Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies)
Van Nek relished the opportunity to start in Allan Alaalatoa’s absence.
Likewise with Slipper, he helped the Brumbies gain set-piece ascendancy whilst breaking three tackles in his five carries.
For this, he earns selection over Pone Fa’amausili, who delivered a real impact off the bench when the Rebels needed it
4. Taleni Seu (NSW Waratahs)
Seu has emerged as one of the most under-rated signings of 2023, impressing in his first start for the club.
The big-bodied lock trucked the ball over the advantage line and looked their most damaging non-head-gear-wearing forward
He also showed his deft touch to set up Max Jorgensen’s wonder try with a lovely offload.
5. Caderyn Neville (ACT Brumbies)
Neville continues to deliver quality outings for the Brumbies.
The lock led the way with 14 tackles as he produced a quality 80-minute performance when the hosts needed it the most.
6. Liam Wright (Queensland Reds)
Wright produced a captain’s knock to get the Reds home after a shaky second half.
His turnover late in the second half helped briefly halt the Drua’s momentum, with the resulting penalty kick proving the difference after 80 minutes.
He also delivered double-digit carries whilst winning a key line out steal to show off his versatility.
7. Ollie Callan (Western Force)
Callan was everywhere for the Force during their disappointing defeat to the Highlanders.
He was heroic in defence with a team-high 17 tackles to go with winning a couple of crucial turnovers.
Callan continued to fight until the end, rewarded for his efforts with a try after the siren
8. Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds)
Wilson has found another level in 2023 when the competition for the coveted number eight jersey has never been fiercer in recent memories.
From tries to turnovers (and even delivering a falcon to Fraser McReight), the number eight did it all for the Reds to will them over the line.
For this, he just edges out Langi Gleeson, who was by far the Waratahs best in their defeat to the Hurricanes.
9. Gareth Simpson (Western Force)
Simpson delivered a high-quality debut for the Force, making a name for himself after arriving from Saracens.
The chip kick to countryman Zach Kibirige was perfect, giving them the lead just before the half.
He then hit Bryce Hegarty with a bullet pass to keep them in the contest and earn his selection despite another starring performance from Ryan Lonergan off the bench
10. Carter Gordon (Melbourne Rebels)
Gordon rose to the occasion for the Rebels.
He looked damaging whenever he took the line on and set the first try up with a lovely short ball to Reece Hodge before firing it to Brad Wilkin the following phase to set up Alex Mafi.
The flyhalf should’ve scored on multiple occasions whilst he also made a mountain of tackles without a mistake
11. Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies)
Toole unleashed his pace in a frenetic contest against Moana Pasifika.
He sprinted down the sidelines with ten to go to set up Ben O’Donnell, only to earn his own five-pointer from a brilliant pace from fellow winger Andy Muirhead.
This just puts him ahead of Reds counterpart Filipo Daugunu, who produced the game-winning turnover for the Reds
12. Taj Annan (Queensland Reds)
19-year-old Taj Annan stepped up as the third-string Reds inside centre with a fine game.
He had two try assists, made 10 tackles with big Fijian bodies flying at him and generally handled the fastest game he’s ever played in.
Annan will continue to develop his game and will be a key piece in the Junior Wallabies’ World Championship push
13. Josh Flook (Queensland Reds)
Flook keeps getting better as the young centre emerges as a real bolter for the World Cup.
He has elite pace and positioning, earning a quick-fire double that could have been a hat-trick if he had snatched a James O’Connor chip kick just before the half.
Flook also held his own in defence to shut down Iosefo Masi for the majority of the game.
14. Andy Muirhead (ACT Brumbies)
Muirhead flies under the radar in a dominant Brumbies backline.
The winger showcased his elusiveness and game awareness to break the 29-all deadlock before catching Moana Pasifika napping to start a final quarter surge.
He finished the solid outing with a brilliant pass to fellow winger Corey Toole that would’ve made any playmaker blush.
15. Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies)
Wright has edged ahead in the battle for the Wallabies 15 jersey with another quality gamer for the Brumbies.
The fullback’s long ball to Tamati Tua was a great example of how he continues to develop his skills, engaging the defenders with his eyes before delivering the bullet pass.
He also finished with a pair of tackle bursts for his 10 carries whilst constantly won the territory battle with his boot.
This earned him selection over Waratahs young gun Max Jorgensen, who produced some magic to score in the corner in a solid first outing at the back.
