Super Round provided the perfect platform for several players to stand up against their Kiwi opposition in round ten of Super Rugby Pacific.
The Brumbies typified this, producing a dominant performance to defeat the Highlanders.
Meanwhile, the Waratahs, Reds and Rebels showed they can match it with the best, but fell away in the second halves of their defeats.
With this in mind,Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round ten.
1.Scott Sio
Dan McKellar remarked after the game he thought it was Sio's best game in close to five years as the former Wallaby dominated the Highlanders pack.
Sio was unstoppable with ball in hand, looking dangerous with every carry as he constantly got the Brumbies on the front foot.
He was also reliable as every at scrum time, providing the visitors with a perfect platform in his 50 minute stint.
2. Richie Asiata
Asiata is the latest in Reds' hookers to step up and shine on the big stage.
His workload was great across attack and defence, particularly causing trouble in the first half with a number of strong carries breaking Hurricanes defenders.
Along with this, his combination at scrum-time with Taniela Tupou and Harry Hoopert was crucial in their early dominance.
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
Johnson-Holmes was the anchor when everything around the Waratahs was falling away.
Injuries and a red card saw him move back to loosehead prop and take over the lineout throwing as he tried to keep his side in the contest.
Outside of a couple of wayward throws, expected of a prop, Johnson-Holmes was crucial in defence with 19 tackles as well as the lone Waratah with double-digit carries.
4. Darcy Swain
Swain enjoyed the rise in competition, producing a statement performance against the Highlanders.
The Wallaby remains a wizard when it comes to shutting down rolling mauls whilst leading the forward pack for metres alongside Sio.
For this, he just edges out Matt Philip, who was once again brilliant for the Rebels against the Crusaders.
5. Jed Holloway
Holloway continues his development, helping spark the Waratahs comeback against the Chiefs.
His ball to find Jake Gordon was perfect as the skipper opened the scoring whilst coming up with a number of key turnovers.
6. Rob Valetini
The tightest call this week but Valetini's effort in a winning performance just has him ahead of Charlie Gamble.
Valetini was brutal in defence, putting a number of key shots on to stifle the Highlanders' attack.
He was also consistently trucking the ball through defenders to get the Brumbies on the front foot.
7. Fraser McReight
McReight was elite across the park for the Reds, keeping them in the fight as the Hurricanes ran away with the contest.
He scored their second try of the game after breaking away from the rolling maul, showing great awareness in the second half to back up Tate McDermott's run to get the Reds out of trouble.
McReight remains arguably the in-form pilferer in Australian Rugby, securing three turnovers with a number of others only narrowly going against him.
8. Harry Wilson
Wilson keeps on finding improvements in his game, showing off the incredible workload.
His 17 carries easily led the game but it was his offloading that stood out, producing several key balls to keep the play alive.
As always, this was doubled by leading the tackle count as the number eight makes a serious case for a Wallabies' recall
9. Nic White
In a round where several scrum-halves stood out, Nic White was the best for the Brumbies.
White controlled the contest perfectly to guide the Brumbies around in the first half, setting up Jahrome Brown inside ten minutes.
He was narrowly denied a try of his own but take nothing away from his influence to help get the ACT-based side over the line.
10. Noah Lolesio
Welcome back Noah Lolesio.
Lolesio showed why is rated so highly as he torched the Highlanders' defence. He should have had a try-assist inside three minutes if not for Tom Wright's poor handling but eventually got a try of his own to seal the match.
He was also near-perfect with the boot, contributing 18 points to help seal the result.
11. Andy Muirhead
Muirhead remains threatening as ever with ball in hand but it was his other skills that stood out in this win.
His clearing kick in the 31st minute showed his development as a kicker, impressing Dan McKellar post-match, whilst his hit on Andrew Makalio late in the game prevented the bonus point and ultimately sealed the win.
12. Irae Simone
Simone was at his brutal best as he carved up his opposite number for the Brumbies.
When they needed him the most, the inside centre burst through three defenders, taking the fullback on before finding Lolesio with a great offload to seal the game.
He also led the tackle count for the Brumbies, a rare sight to see for a back, but shows his importance in marshalling their defence.
13. Hunter Paisami
Paisami looked like he had a point to prove in this match, running the ball at breakneck speed throughout the 80 minutes.
He only trailed Jock Campbell for metres gained as he constantly took the ball over the advantage line, producing a great dummy and step to set up Hamish Stewart.
The Wallaby produced 72 metres from his 14 carries, as well as three tackle busts and a line break.
14. Glen Vaihu
Vaihu tries everything to get the Rebels back into the contest with the Crusaders.
His cover defence on Sevu Reece was one of several strong plays as the Junior Wallaby stepped up to the occasion.
15. Reece Hodge
Hodge was the Rebels' key attacking threat as he impressed in front of a strong AAMI Park crowd.
The Wallaby was lethal with the boot, keeping them in the contest before securing a well-deserved try late in the game.
He just beats Jock Campbell and Tom Wright in this team, with Wright's schoolboy error overshadowing what was yet another solid performance.
