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Hurricanes 43, Force 6<\/strong><\/p>\n After starting the competition as the most consistent Australian side, the Force travelled to Napier and were given their biggest thrashing by the Hurricanes.<\/p>\n The seven tries to nil demolition was spearheaded by sensational Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi and freakishly talented hooker Asafo Aumua.<\/p>\n Aumua should really come with a warning label, as Force midfielder Kyle Godwin can certainly attest, after running straight into the hooker who is built like a small armoured vehicle.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Cheika takes aim at game changing red card<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Queensland snap Australia's drought in wild win<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Brumbies blown off Eden Park by brutal Blues<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/RugbyOnNine\/status\/1399589327198322690?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n Minutes after knocking the aura out of the Force skipper, Aumua latched on to a loose ball from a lineout and scampered nearly 70 metres for a brilliant individual try.<\/p>\n Not bad for a backup.<\/p>\n It won't get any easier for the Force, as they now travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders.<\/p>\n Goodie gumdrops.<\/p>\n Crusaders 54, Waratahs 28<\/strong><\/p>\n A fantastic afternoon of footy was in store for the good crowd that turned out at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.<\/p>\n The enthusiastic fans on the bank were treated to some excellent running rugby \u2013 and not just from the Crusaders either.<\/p>\n In fact, a highly unfancied Waratahs side applied themselves pretty well in this game, in spite of the scoreline.<\/p>\n Izaia Perese has been a menace to any defence this year and the Crusaders were no different.<\/p>\n And young star Will Harrison looked to have regained some of his confidence, as he was forced to move from fullback to his more favoured fly half position.<\/p>\n All of a sudden the Waratahs started to threaten on attack, but it was the defensive side of the ball – and, to be fair, quite a helping of Crusaders brilliance – which saw the scoreline blow out.<\/p>\n But still, plenty of positives for the Tahs.<\/p>\n Blues 38, Brumbies 10<\/strong><\/p>\n The first half of this contest was one of the most enthralling halves of Super Rugby trans-Tasman to date.<\/p>\n It was a real ding-dong battle, with the Brumbies giving as good as they got.<\/p>\n Impressive loose forward Rob Valetini nearly scored a scorching try, but was dragged down by the bootlaces by Blues halfback and possibly the smallest man on the field \u2013 Finlay Christie.<\/p>\n Going into the sheds down 17-10, this looked like it could be a close contest.<\/p>\n That's when the Blues \u2013 as they've done to a few teams this year \u2013 really started to take charge.<\/p>\n Twenty one unanswered points poured more misery on the Brumbies, who finally get to head back to Canberra to take on the Hurricanes, in what could be an intriguing contest.<\/p>\n Reds 40, Chiefs 34<\/strong><\/p>\n The fun times are back!<\/p>\n The Reds were in seventh heaven, as they ran out to a scarcely believable 33-3 lead at halftime.<\/p>\n The reintroduction of Filipo Daugunu to the wing, and debutant Isaac Henry at centre, proved a masterstroke for Brad Thorn's men in Townsville.<\/p>\n It can be argued that the red card of key Chiefs player Damian McKenzie was a turning point, but the Reds had already shot out to a two try advantage, with Tate McDermott giving the defence all kinds of problems.<\/p>\n The Chiefs would rally though and almost pull off an unthinkable comeback, but a fatigued Reds side had enough in reserve to hold them out for a win that lifts the spirits of the entire nation.<\/p>\n Next up, a massive clash with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n Bring it on.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/RugbyOnNine\/status\/1398949083948093440?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n Highlanders 42, Rebels 27<\/strong><\/p>\n It was a little odd hearing the Highlanders theme song bellowing out of the speakers at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.<\/p>\n Due to COVID complications in Victoria, the match was hastily relocated to the iconic rugby league ground for a Highlanders 'home' game (make sure you remember that for sports trivia in years to come).<\/p>\n The home side started in sparkling fashion with two tries, which were entertaining and effective, but Melbourne would fight back, with a drought-breaking try to Marika Koroibete.<\/p>\n![\"Perese](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2021\/05\/361085\/pickerImage.jpg\")
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