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The extraordinary scrum power of Taniela Tupou was on display in the first half against the Drua in Fiji on Saturday.

Statistically,the Drua have one of the best,if not the best,scrums in the competition. But Tupou gave the Rebels the ascendancy as they went into the sheds at 19-19 and if he goes to the Waratahs,as is expected,NSW fans will be licking their lips.

Emotional NSW coach Darren Coleman prepares for his last match in charge of the Waratahs.

The expectation levels will rise further if he is joined by Carter Gordon,Rob Leota,Brad Wilkin and Jordan Uelese,but experienced Waratahs observers can spot a double-edged sword from miles away.

Raised expectations and the Waratahs have not always gone well together,and the sudden injection of some big names will present the incoming coach with a test of his soft skills.

2. Fraser McReight is top three in Super players of the year

The Reds flanker,my choice as Wallabies captain,would have had a near perfect season if not for his red card against Moana Pasifika. Still,he has been in the top three players across the entire competition after another stellar performance against the Waratahs.

From inside the first 10 minutes to the last,he was making key steals at the breakdown,an area where he has few peers (only Luke Reimer and Timoci Tavatavanawai consistently rival him).

Overall,Blues No.8 Hoskins Sotutu would join McReight in the top three,and I would also put Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia in that elite company. But McReight has been superb this year.

3. Brumbies look well set for the play-offs

The Brumbies will be a bit disappointed that they couldn’t grab a top-two position,but some parts of their game are absolutely humming as they prepare for the Highlanders next weekend. The quality of their defensive sets early in the second half against the Western Force was excellent,allowing them to keep the Force at arm’s length on the scoreboard.

Tom Wright on the attack for the Brumbies against the Force.Getty

They understand perfectly when to commit big bodies such as Rob Valetini and Tamati Tua to the ruck. Also,their counter-attacking capacity has gone through the roof this year,as evidenced by Tom Wright’s try from a Brumbies lineout steal.

4. Where the Reds can take on the Chiefs

The breakdown,of course,especially if Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson is cited for his ugly head-on-head contact on Blues halfback Finlay Christie on Saturday. But,the real area where the Reds will like their chances is at the scrum.

The Blues had the Chiefs under serious pressure at Eden Park,and the Chiefs are stronger on the loosehead side than the tighthead,especially with Taranaki prop Reuben O’Neill suspended.

Reds props Alex Hodgman and Peni Ravai should,at the least,be able to deliver some quality ball to their backs and perhaps even exert some pressure on Chiefs No.3 George Dyer.

5. It’s now the Hurricanes’ title to lose

The despondency of the Blues players after they blew the chance to secure top spot on the ladder was clear. They’ve turned Eden Park into a fortress this year,dishing out some real hidings along the way,but they now face the infinitely harder task of winning in Wellington to land the title.

Wallabies and Melbourne Rebels prop Taniela Tupou could be on his way to the Waratahs.

Super Rugby

Waratahs ready to swoop on Rebels’ Wallabies stars after axing

The Hurricanes are now in the box seat and they will be expected to power past the Rebels next Saturday to progress to a home semi-final. They are arguably the most balanced side in the competition.

They can turn on the power when needed,but they also have a group of backs who can cut teams to shreds from broken play or their first-phase moves. If the Hurricanes take it out,it would represent a remarkable first year for head coach Clark Laidlaw,the canny Scotsman who has made New Zealand his home.