analysis
Wallabies contenders press claims in Super Rugby Pacific to face British and Irish Lions
Carlo Tizzano continued his impressive form for the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific. (Getty Images: Janelle St Pierre)
The Queensland Reds snatched a thrilling 28-24 victory at the death against the Western Force in Perth, as several Wallabies hopefuls pressed their claims for selection ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.
Meanwhile, the NSW Waratahs snuck home 29-24 against Fijian Drua, and the ACT Brumbies fell 49-34 to the red-hot Chiefs across the Tasman.
Keeping potential Wallabies selections in mind, here are some of the talking points from round three of Super Rugby Pacific.
Tizzano takes points decision
If the Force's match with the Reds had been an old-school "Probables vs Possibles" clash to decide the Wallabies' starting XV, Carlo Tizzano would have edged Fraser McReight to play openside flanker.
But not by much.
It wasn't that McReight played poorly; it was just his outstanding on-ball ability at the breakdown was contained by the Force.
The Force did their best to neutralise Reds star Fraser McReight (right). (Getty Images: Janelle St Pierre)
McReight and Tizzano got through heavy defensive workloads, each hitting double digits with their tackle counts.
Tizzano, who made his Test debut last year, was impressive on the attacking side of the ball against the Reds, scoring two tries and making 12 ball-carries for the match.
He racked up solid post-contact metres from a hit-up in the first half, bumping off an attempted tackle from Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson in the process.
Only injury, suspension or a significant dip in form will prevent McReight from wearing the Wallabies' number seven jersey against the Lions, given he's one of the best in his position on the international stage.
Tizzano, though, is putting pressure on McReight and building a strong case to fill a bench spot in the Wallabies' match-day squad.
On a side note, McReight showed why he's been touted as a future Wallabies captain when his leadership qualities came to the fore in the shadows of full-time against the Force.
Trailing 24-21, the Reds were awarded a penalty inside opposition territory in the 79th minute and, instead of going for goal in the hope of forcing extra time, McReight — who was a makeshift captain with Tate McDermott off the field — opted to kick for touch.
The Reds pumped the ball to the left corner and won the line-out, before Filipo Daugunu found his way across the stripe to clinch the win for the visitors.
Donaldson the fly-half frontrunner
With the Force's Ben Donaldson in one corner and the Reds' Tom Lynagh in the other, the battle of the fly halves in Perth promised much in the lead-up to the match.
Sadly for Lynagh, his evening came to an abrupt end after 40 minutes following a head knock he sustained shortly before the half-time break.
Lynagh had scored the Reds' second try but produced an up-and-down performance while on the paddock.
In spite of the Force's defeat, Donaldson looked sharp in directing his team's attack, mixing his game up by sharing first-receiver duties with inside centre Hamish Stewart.
Midway through the opening half, the pair teamed up to great effect when Stewart connected with Donaldson via a second-man play in the first phase of an attacking movement that eventually saw Darcy Swain burrow over in the left corner to help the Force establish a 14-0 lead.
Ben Donaldson boosted his chances of starting for the Wallabies. (AAP: Trevor Collens)
In round two, Lynagh launched his bid for the Wallabies' fly half role with a mature display in the Reds' 56-36 defeat of Moana Pasifika at home.
But Donaldson responded by playing the leading hand in the Force's upset 45-42 win over the Brumbies in Canberra the following night.
With the Brumbies' Noah Lolesio — who started in 11 Tests last year — sidelined due to concussion, Donaldson is the pacesetter among the Australian fly halves.
His challenge is to continue his excellent form in Super Rugby Pacific, however he may need to do more to convince critics he's a Test-standard 10.
Stewart puts his hand up for Wallabies
Stewart won't be the first name mentioned by pundits speculating about who'll play inside centre for the Wallabies against the Lions.
To his credit, he's staking a claim as his consistent form has helped the Force make a positive start to the season.
Stewart offers a second playmaker option at 12, having shown he can slot in at first receiver to take some of the defensive heat off Force teammate Donaldson.
Hamish Stewart (right) has been one of the Force's best performers. (Getty Images: Janelle St Pierre)
He has a strong tactical kicking game, highlighted by his 50:22 in the second half against the Reds, and he sits fifth on the competition standings for most tackles (50) completed.
The Wallabies' midfield defence will be put under enormous pressure against the Lions, with Ireland's bulldozing Bundee Aki expected to play inside centre for the tourists.
Whether Stewart is up to the task defensively is open to discussion, which is why Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt may choose to play Hunter Paisami (currently suspended) or Len Ikitau opposite Aki.
Where Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is selected will also have a bearing, as Ikitau will likely be named at outside centre if the former NRL star is picked at fullback, forcing Tom Wright to the wing or out of the starting XV.
Stewart does offer a different style of inside centre to the direct-runners available and he's clearly on Schmidt's radar after playing two Tests in the position for the Wallabies against the Pumas last year.
Brumbies' slow start no reason for panic
The chances of multiple Brumbies players being selected in the Wallabies squad to meet the Lions won't be impacted by their side's 1-2 win-loss record.
Losing to the Force on their home deck wasn't expected, however they were always going to be underdogs when they played title favourites, the Chiefs, in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Brumbies were left to reflect after their 49-34 loss to the Chiefs. (Getty Images: Dave Rowland)
They were still in the contest when trailing 39-34 with five minutes left on the clock, before the Chiefs kicked a penalty goal and scored a converted try at full-time to blow the final points margin out to 15.
The Brumbies matched the Chiefs by scoring six tries, but the hosts capitalised on their goal-kicking opportunities.
There shouldn't be cause for alarm among Brumbies supporters as their team will pose a more formidable threat when Rob Valetini recovers from a hamstring injury and Lolesio is cleared to play again.
Porecki bolsters hooker stocks
Dave Porecki's return from long-term injury adds to the Wallabies' depth chart at hooker ahead of the Lions tour.
Porecki started in every Test for the Wallabies in 2023 and captained the side during the ill-fated Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
He missed all of 2024 due to an Achilles tendon injury but has returned for the Waratahs, forming an imposing front row alongside Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou.
Their effectiveness at scrum time was noted when they dominated their Drua counterparts in the first half of Friday night's match in Sydney.
All three were subbed off in the 50th minute and the Waratahs' set-piece struggled in their absence.
Dave Porecki (centre) is on the comeback trail for the Waratahs. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
Porecki will be desperate to reclaim the Wallabies' starting hooker spot, which the Reds' Matt Faessler held down for much of last year's international program.
Faessler's stocks didn't rise or fall with his showing against the Force, while fellow rake Billy Pollard gave glimpses of his dynamic ability in attack during the Brumbies' loss to the Chiefs.
The Wallabies are blessed to have seven hookers with Test experience fronting up for the Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams, with the Force's Nic Dolly among the mix.
Sydney-born Dolly played one Test for England in 2021 but is now eligible to represent the Wallabies.