As the U16 and U19 National Championships enter the final weeks, there are plenty of players pushing their cases ahead of the finals.
The Brumbies were dominant as they came away from Harlequin Rugby Club with wins in both grades over the Melbourne Rebels.
Meanwhile, the Western Force took the Queensland Reds to the limit in the U16s before the Reds responded in emphatic fashion during the U19s.
High-Performance National Programs Coach Nathan Grey is among several keeping a keen eye on the action as they look to build for the future, highlighted by the Junior Wallabies and the likely return of the World U20 Championships.
Rugby.com.au looks at the teams of the week from both competitions as picked by Grey.
*Please note the NSW Waratahs had the bye in round four and will not feature
After their thrilling contest, the Queensland Reds and Western Force dominate the team of the week, earning five selections each.
Force winger Ken Ah Hong was rewarded for his electric double, joined in the backline by scrumhalf Tamarangi Tunui and centre Christoffel Jansen.
Manaia Te Tana continues his strong season with his second selection for the year alongside loosehead prop Lee Ruiz.
Fullback Chase Oates and Prestyn Laine-Seitu headline the inclusions for the Reds after their strong second-half performances got the visitors back into the contest.
Lock Will Pascoe earns his second selection in a row whilst hooker Ewald Kruger and replacement prop Princeton Ioane round out the Queensland contingency.
It's an all-Brumby back-row as Alex Hardy is joined by standouts Bailey Bouquiaux and Harry Harrington whilst flyhalf Sam Chapman has been rewarded after his breakout performance.
Rebels flyer Andrew Mulipola is the lone selection from the Victorian side as they look to bounce back this week against the Queensland Reds.
Team of the Week
- Lee Ruiz (Western Force)
- Ewald Kruger (Queensland Reds)
- Princeton Ioane (Queensland Reds)
- Will Pascoe (Queensland Reds)
- Manaia Te Tana (Western Force)
- Alex Hardy (ACT Brumbies)
- Bailey Bouquiaux (ACT Brumbies)
- Harry Harrington (ACT Brumbies)
- Tamarangi Tunui (Western Force)
- Sam Chapman (ACT Brumbies)
- Andrew Mulipola (Melbourne Rebels)
- Christoffel Jansen (Western Force)
- Prestyn Laine-Seitu (Queensland Reds)
- Ken Ah Hong (Western Force)
- Chase Oates (Queensland Reds)
After their dominant victories, it's not surprising to see the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies dominate the team of the week, accounting for 12 of the 15 selections.
Reds prop Harrison Usher once again earns nomination, joined in the front-row by Brumbies duo Liam Bowron and Sam Eden.
Force standout Caleb Karangoaroa and replacement Brumby Xavier Degai make up the locks whilst Stuart Tualima, Nick Baker and John Bryant complete an all-Reds back-row.
They are joined by teammate Willem Johnstone and Brumbies flyhalf Cullen Gray.
Rebels duo Toby Fraser and Glen Vaihu are the lone selection from the Victorian-based side, rounding out the team alongside Brumbies duo Sonny Meleisea, Austin Anderson and Reds winger Robert Mapa.
Team of the Week
- Harrison Usher (Queensland Reds)
- Liam Bowron (ACT Brumbies)
- Sam Eden (ACT Brumbies)
- Caleb Karangaroa (Western Force)
- Xavier Degai ACT Brumbies)
- Stuart Tualima (Queensland Reds)
- Nick Baker (Queensland Reds)
- John Bryant (Queensland Reds)
- Willem Johnstone ((Queensland Reds)
- Cullen Gray (ACT Brumbies)
- Toby Fraser (Melbourne Rebels)
- David Vaihu (Melbourne Rebels)
- Sonny Meleisea (ACT Brumbies)
- Robert Mapa (Queensland Reds)
- Austin Anderson (ACT Brumbies)
