Round Nine of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific was a big round for the Australian teams across the weekend.
The NSW Waratahs were the biggest winners after a stunning upset of the title favourites Chiefs in Sydney.
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Meanwhile, the ACT Brumbies outclassed the Queensland Reds in Brisbane to move into the top four.
Rugby.com.au selects its Team of the Week from the Australian teams for Round Nine.
Slipper continues to show that he is timeless, with a big night against his old side.
The loosehead played nearly a full game after Blake Schoupp’s injury and had the Reds’ number at scrum-time on a number of occasions.
Dobbins has impressed in his brief time at the Waratahs, showing he is a viable starting option heading forward.
The former Rebel belted Damian McKenzie to set the tone for a dogged defensive performance as he won three turnovers on the night.
He also didn’t miss a throw, nailing a perfect 7/7.
Alaalatoa is doing everything he can to ensure he’s the starter for the Lions tour.
The inspirational Brumby maintained his try-scoring run as of late with his fourth of the season.
It complemented a tidy shift from Alaalatoa that included 13 tackles without a miss and several tough carries in the wet.
Sinclair’s leadership was massive in the win over the Chiefs as he calmed a Waratahs’ side hungry for an upset.
The second-row led from the front with 19 tackles, seven of which came after the siren as the Chiefs hunted for the game-tying try.
Frost was a tough worker all night for the Brumbies to claim the crucial win.
He threw the final pass for Tuaina Taii Tualima’s try right before the break to go with 11 big carries across the 80 minutes.
The big lock topped the tackle count for the Brumbies with 17, earning him the spot over opposite second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Rob Valetini delivered his own brand of violence in Brisbane.
Valetini is one of the most dangerous players on his day, and he stepped up on the big occasion, running over the top of winger Tim Ryan for a crucial try.
His barnstorming run through Zane Nonggorr and Seru Uru helped the Brumbies turn the tide and take a half-time lead as he almost single-handedly won the collision battle.
The Englishman was a machine for the Waratahs on his first start.
No one was close to Adamson for tackles (26) as his blond locks seemed to pop up everywhere on the field.
Adamson also came up with a turnover and key try-saving tackle to ensure the win.
Gleeson is making himself undeniable for Wallabies selection.
The number eight was unstoppable in the middle with a trio of tackle busts in his 11 carries.
He was also one of several Waratahs not to miss a tackle with 14 for the night.
A tight battle in the halves but the nod goes to Teddy Wilson after another excellent start.
Wilson set up chances all afternoon with three line-break assists, but the moment of the night for the scrum-half was his swan dive to finish off a sensational team try.
This pushed him ahead of Ryan Lonergan, who did his Wallabies hopes no harm with a quality 80-minute start for the Brumbies.
Creighton silenced a lot of critics with an excellent night in the sky blue jersey.
The flyhalf showed excellent hands to throw the ball over his head for the Wilson try.
His kicking game was crisp all night, and this got him the nod over Noah Lolesio, who delivered one of his better games of the year.
Reilly keeps firing for the Waratahs in the clutch moments.
He backed up Joey Walton excellently for their second try as one of three tackle busts on the night for the winger.
Paisami kept the Reds in the contest with his brilliant skills.
The chip-and-chase for the opening try was excellent, sending a message that he wants the gold #12 jersey back.
He had two line breaks, three tackles, a try assist and a try on the night.
Pakeho completes the Reds’ midfield after the young gun’s strong night at outside centre.
The Red crossed for his second try in Super Rugby and he looked solid in defence with 11 tackles.
Kellaway is coming into his own in the Waratahs’ backline.
The smarts and bravery to take the line on from his own in-goal should be applauded as the winger had two big touches in the try of the year candidate.
Outside of this, Kellaway was quality around the park with just under 100 running metres and two tackle busts from eight carries.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii keeps getting better for the Waratahs.
The fullback was involved in everything early and finally got his first try after bumping off All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Quinn Tupaea.
He looked like he was going to create tries with every break and had the Chiefs in webs trying to stop him, resorting to high tackles that left Gideon Wrampling sitting for ten.
In addition, it was his best defensive performance, with several key tackles and a forced error at the end.
