Round Three of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific delivered some thrilling results across the country.
The NSW Waratahs found a way to stay unbeaten after defeating the Fijian Drua in Sydney.
The ACT Brumbies pushed the Chiefs all the way in Hamilton, whilst it was a classic finish in Perth as the Queensland Reds snatched victory in the final minutes to defeat the Western Force.
1. Angus Bell
Another incredible performance from the loosehead as he re-establishes his position as one of the best in the competition.
Bell’s carries were full of venom all night, and he helped dismantle the Drua scrum.
The Wallaby finished the night with five tackle busts, along with drawing a pair of scrum penalties against his opposite tight-head Samu Tawake.
2. Dave Porecki
Like Bell, Porecki was excellent at set-piece time to earn the selection.
In total, the Waratah pack won three scrum penalties against the Drua, with Porecki crucial in disrupting the bind of the opposition front-rowers.
His lineout service was excellent, making 15/16 throws to go with a five-pointer
3. Tom Robertson
Robertson is the ultimate work-horse for the Force.
He has been intent on making up for lost time and recorded double digit tackles (14) and carries (11).
4. Darcy Swain
Swain continues to press his claims for a Wallabies call-up.
He was near perfect up until a late penalty, but the Force wouldn’t have been in the position it was in had it not been for his influence around the park.
He was the main line-out leader with Jeremy Williams out and was one of several not to miss a tackle on the night.
5. Nick Frost
Frost was excellent for the Brumbies in a solid 80-minute outing.
He set the tempo for the back-and-forth game with a great try down the short side as he carried the defence over the line for a five-pointer.
The Wallaby was also reliable in defence, with 14 tackles to edge out Ryan Smith, who worked tirelessly in his 63-minute stint.
6. Seru Uru
It’s a tight call, but the attacking output of Uru gives him the nod over Nicholas Champion de Crespigny.
His running game was massive in opening up the hosts, setting up a try to go with three offloads and two tackle busts.
Champion de Crespigny did his hopes for a Wallaby call-up no harm, but it was Uru who claimed the razor-thin decision.
7. Carlo Tizzano
Carlo Tizzano had the narrow edge over Fraser McReight on the night in Perth.
Backing up from his record-breaking 34 tackles against the Brumbies, Tizzano delivered another virtuoso openside performance in topping his side’s carries (12) and tries (2) to go with 13 tackles and two tackle busts.
He is still to miss a tackle all season, although he faces another big match-up against Charlie Gamble, who was also excellent.
8. Langi Gleeson
Gleeson was a man on a mission against the Fijian Drua.
It’s a clash that the Fijian-heritage backrower always gets up for as he delivered a heroic two-try performance.
He was one of the most damaging Waratahs ball carriers all night, whilst also making a crucial try-saving tackle.
9. Tate McDermott
It’s fair to say Tate McDermott was the difference-maker on Saturday in Perth.
Each of McDermott’s 73 minutes was vital, with 48 post-contact metres, two line breaks, two try assists, two tackle busts, and a line break assist, all sparked from the ruck base.
While plenty is made of McDermott’s running game, that deft grubber for Flook’s first try was classy stuff.
10. Declan Meredith
It was a big weekend for the tens, but Meredith gets the nod for his best Super Rugby game by far.
The flyhalf was settled in his second start, getting the Brumbies back into the game with his distribution and delivery.
Ben Donaldson was also excellent in defeat for the Force, but the Brumby just gets the nod.
11. Filipo Daugunu
Daugunu proved the hero after returning in style from his HIA.
The wing barged his way over the line to cap off a superb night for the Wallaby.
He had three tackle busts, and a couple of thumping hits to go with his five-pointer to earn his spot in the side.
12. Lalakai Foketi
Foketi relished the return to the 12 jersey in the absence of Joey Walton.
He matched the Drua at their own game with three offloads whilst also making three tackle busts and a line break.
The centre didn’t miss a tackle, and his combination with young gun Henry O’Donnell was a big positive in the win.
13. Len Ikitau
This was Len Ikitau at his most dangerous as he went toe-to-toe with a pair of All Blacks.
He set up two tries thanks to excellent hands close to the line whilst winning a key turnover.
It was enough to hold off Josh Flook, who found himself in the right place for a double.
14. Dylan Pietsch
Pietsch has found a home in the west.
The winger was dangerous all night as he kept breaking Force tackles.
He just earned the nod over Andy Muirhead, delivering another great outing with a two-try performance.
15. Heremaia Murray
Murray looked at home at the back for the Reds.
The ex-Crusader was comfortably their leading carrier with 139 metres, capped off with four tackle busts and a line break.
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