Super Rugby Pacific TOTW
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Super Rugby Pacific continues to surprise and excite as the Australian teams stood up in Round Nine.
With just three in action, it was the Queensland Reds and Western Force that impressed, recording big wins over the Highlanders and Crusaders respectively.
As for the Brumbies, they were well and truly outclassed by the Blues as the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs enjoyed the bye.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round nine.
Hodgman was strong again for the Reds, laying the platform upfront.
He was physical in defence, delivering some crunching tackles in the opening half to dull the Highlanders attack whilst constantly cleaning out Highlanders.
On top of this, the former Blue was reliable at scrum time to set up the strong first-half performance.
Horton’s all-round game helped guide the Force to a crucial victory.
He was near perfect with his lineout throws, going 14/15 whilst stepping up with some crucial tackles.
It was a great night for the hooker, who nearly played the entire 80 minutes when Ben Funnell went off almost straight away after replacing Horton.
Toomaga-Allen was a bruiser in the shutout win, delivering one of his best games for the side.
The Kiwi was dominant in the contact area to force some key turnovers in a dominant 49-minute performance
Smith is often the underrated link in the Reds’ pack but on Friday, he was a shining light.
He crashed over for a first-half try along with getting a crucial lineout steal.
This just saw him edge out Izack Rodda, who was very impressive off the bench in his return to Rugby.
Carter wound back the clock for the Force, playing his best game yet for the club.
The former Wallaby delivered an 80-minute masterclass in tight with 16 tackles, six lineout wins, seven carries and a try
Wright was everywhere as the captain stepped up with no Fraser McReight or Tate McDermott.
He was a menace at the breakdown, continuing to apply pressure whilst didn’t miss a tackle in his 80-minute stint.
His decision-making was also calm and calculated, along with controlling the lineout game as the main receiver
Bryant’s stocks rose significantly on his debut start.
The former Junior Wallaby worked tirelessly across the 80 minutes, leading the side for tackles and ruck arrivals.
This just put him ahead of Carlo Tizzano, who once again delivered an inspirational night in the west
Another late season pick-up that delivered for Simon Cron’s men.
Prinsep was a defensive machine, launching himself into Crusaders.
He made 24 and missed just one tackle along with winning a key turnover
Thomas had a real pose around his game as he seized the opportunity to start.
His burst in the opening minute of the game set the scene for an excellent night, before throwing the ball for Hunter Paisami’s try a minute later.
His delivery was solid throughout the night whilst threatening with his running ability.
It was a controlled night for the Wallaby, who kept the Force on the front foot thanks to his boot.
Donaldson kept ticking along the scoreboard with his penalties and made great metres with his carries when he took the line on.
He also averaged just under 50 metres per kick, driving the Crusaders back into their half.
Tiatia was as reliable as ever for the Force on the wing.
He finished well in the corner for his fifth try of the season, his best tally in Super Rugby history.
Paisami was rampant for the Reds as he floated between both centre positions.
The centre looked comfortable in the wider channels and finished with 10 tackles, two linebreak assists, two try assists and three tackle busts.
He even showed off his kicking game to set up Suliasi Vunivalu late to complete the standout night.
Creighton was a standout for the Brumbies in a night-to-forget in Auckland.
The outside centre was one of their more threatening ball runners in the middle, nearly scoring in the opening minutes.
Vunivalu’s rise in 2024 continues with a steady performance for the winger.
He bounced off tacklers all night, scoring a deserved try in the final seconds of the game.
Beale justified his mid-season signing with a trademark night at HBF Park.
He barely missed a beat with three tackle busts, a line break and a line break assist.
His experience was invaluable in helping to straighten up the attack and get the best out of all the Force’s backline weapons
