With the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman season underway, attention starts to turn to the make-up of the Wallabies squad for their next Test series.
With the three-Test series against France confirmed for July, Dave Rennie and the Wallabies coaching staff will be keeping an eager eye over players as they battle their New Zealand counterparts.
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Rugby.com.au has looked at the top ten performances from Australian players as they press for selection.
1.Tom Banks
What more can you say about Tom Banks? The Brumbies fullback has continued his form into Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, carving upon the defending champions.
Running for a game-high 109 metres, Banks was dominant at the back, with the centrepiece of his performance coming in the 71st minute as he burst through three tackles, showing some serious pace to outsprint George Bridge to score a classic try.
2. Rob Valetini
Another Brumby, Valetini was immense as always at number eight.
The main difference that was sprouted between AU and NZ teams was the difference in physicality, however, Valetini bullied the Crusaders for the full 80 minutes.
He had 14 carries as he consistently took the ball over the advantage line, capping off the performance with a try.
3. Angus Bell
Bell has been the one constant for the Waratahs pack in 2021 and once again showed he can match it with the best.
In a weekend where most scrums were dominated, Bell held his own against the Hurricanes, along with making a major difference with ball in hand as he made an incredible 17 carries for 52 metres, 2 clean breaks and a try.
4. Noah Lolesio
This was probably one of Lolesio’s best games for the Brumbies, it’s just a shame all that will be remember is the kick at the end.
Lolesio was electric, breaking through a number of defenders to set up their opening try.
He beat six defenders during the loss, set up a try along with being near perfect with the boot. It’s just a shame that the last one faded wide because he deserved at least a draw for his performance.
5. Suliasi Vunivalu
Coming off the bench, Vunivalu continues to show why he was such a highly sought after talent.
His first try was the best as he leapt over the defenders, bringing back memories of Israel Folau, as he mossed the Highlanders.
In a crowded Reds and Wallabies backline, Vunivalu looked like a prospect primed for selection come July, especially with one eye on 2023
6. Kyle Godwin
After missing the majority of the season, Godwin played his best game in Force colours since returning.
He showed all the skills that saw him selected for Australia in the first place, beating defenders at will as the home side almost pulled off the miracle comeback.
7. Liam Wright
In a Reds team that looked flat after their heroics last week, captain Liam Wright kept them in the contest for the majority of the game.
Wright was a workhorse as he made 13 tackles, producing four crucial turnovers as the Highlanders continued to attack their line, especially in the first half.
8. Harry Johnson-Holmes
The other key player in the Waratahs pack, Johnson-Holmes’ push for Wallaby selections continues after another solid performance.
Johnson-Holmes has made a habit of popping up at the right time, adding to his ever-growing try-scoring tally with a double as he entered double-digits for his career, the most for a Waratahs prop.
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9. Josh Kemeny
Although it seemed like nothing went right for the Rebels, Kemeny’s tireless work was a shining light in the 50-3 thumping.
Despite a weak defensive effort, the back-rower led the team in tackles (12) along with being one of just five Rebels not to miss a tackle in the disappointing performance.
10. Scott Sio
The last of the Brumbies quartet, Sio seems to have taken last month's exclusion from Wallabies camp personally as he fights for re-selection.
Stepping up in James Slipper’s absence, Sio broke multiple tackles as he starts to refine his game, scoring in the 26th minute to keep the Brumbies in the contest.
