It makes the team of the week selection more competitive than ever as the Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and ACT Brumbies all enjoyed wins.

The NSW Waratahs were a penalty away from victory whilst the Western Force was still strong in their defeat to the Brumbies. But the main talking point from the weekend is the Reds after their stunning win over the Chiefs.

With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has selected the best from the Australian sides for round three.

 

1. Matt Gibbon (Melbourne Rebels)

Gibbon continues to impress in a world-class Rebels pack. He was strong at scrum time and was solid in defence, forcing two turnovers.

The loosehead also provided great post-carry metres from his four carries to just hold off Angus Bell and a great stint from Blake Schoupp off the bench

 

2. Matt Faessler (Queensland Reds)

Another week, another Faessler nomination as the Wallaby goes from strength to strength. He was near perfect at lineout time, going 12/13 with his throws whilst scoring yet another maul try.

Faessler did enough to hold off Jordan Uelese after one of his best games in Rebels colours 

 

3. Taniela Tupou (Melbourne Rebels)

Tupou delivered a set-piece masterclass off the bench. His impact decided the game at the end, delivering several brutal scrummages to constantly have the Moana pack going backwards.

It's what ultimately decided the game as they launched the late comeback.

 

4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Melbourne Rebels)

The resurgence of the former Red continues. He stepped up when the Rebels needed him to dismantle the Pasifika maul along with some key tackles.

It just saw him selected over Jed Holloway, who has been immense for the Waratahs in the opening three weeks.

 

5. Ryan Smith (Queensland Reds)

Smith was a workhorse for the Reds across the 80 minutes. He produced an incredible 21 tackles without a miss to go with 11 carries and a lineout steal.

Smith is the unsung hero of the Reds and stood up late when it counted to earn selection over Force captain Jeremy Williams.

 

6. Liam Wright (Queensland Reds)

The co-captain was influential in all aspects of their win over the Chiefs. He was their leading lineout receiver with seven takes whilst producing 23 ruck arrivals to ensure clean ball throughout the night.

Wright was a wall in defence with 18 tackles, helping the hosts close out the game late.

 

7. Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)

McReight was at his pilfering best, stealing two key turnovers that directly led to points. He also didn’t miss a tackle in his 20 attempts, including some key one-on-one efforts late to help stop a surging Chiefs outfit.

McReight was great in attack, swan diving his way over after backing up a Harry Wilson break.

 

8. Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies)

Rob Valetini was crucial for the Brumbies, for proving the difference in this win. Valetini constantly bent the defensive line back, with 31 post-contact metres from his eight carries.

For this, he just prevents an all-Queensland back-row after another quality Harry Wilson outfit.

 

9. Nic White (Western Force)

White reminded Brumbies fans of his talent on his return to Canberra. He burnt the defence in the opening minutes with a great burst to set up Hamish Stewart.

His intimate knowledge of the Brumbies’ system showed in attack as they pieced them apart in the first half with four tackle busts and two offloads.

 

10. Ben Donaldson (Western Force)

Donaldson's start this year has been excellent for the Force. The playmaker’s charge over Lolesio to set up the opener was great whilst should’ve had another try assist had it not been for an obstruction.

His running game sparked another chance in the 75th minute to put Max Burey into space, setting up Harry Potter for his maiden try.

 

11. Andrew Kellaway (Melbourne Rebels)

Kellaway showed it doesn’t matter what number is on his back, he’ll always find a way to make an impact. His try in the fourth minute was vintage Kellaway, stepping back inside and beating a pair of defenders to score a great five-pointer.

He then capped it off with the perfect ball to Glen Vaihu for the game-sealer to add a try assist to his five tackle busts

 

12. Isaac Henry (Queensland Reds)

Henry filled the void left by Hunter Paisami perfectly. He constantly tested the Chiefs defence, producing four tackle busts from his nine carries.

Along with this, Henry was solid in defence to hold off Joey Walton after another excellent night.

 

13. Izaia Perese (NSW Waratahs)

Perese shows his value as a game-breaker, returning to his best in the narrow defeat. He has a great ability to beat the first tackler and ride the contact, displayed in his 30th-minute try.

The centre finished with nine tackle busts to go with the try and a couple of offloads.

 

14. Triston Reilly (NSW Waratahs)

It was a solid debut start for the returning Reilly for the Waratahs. The winger was electric when he got the ball in his hands, recording three line breaks and a try assist.

He was also great in defence, producing a thumping tackle to force a mistake, earning him the nod over Suli Vunivalu.

 

15. Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)

Campbell slotted back into fullback seamlessly. His kicking game was rock solid all night whilst recording 122 metres from ten carries.

He did enough to hold off Max Jorgensen, who is getting back to his best.