David Pocock led the way in Super Rugby Round 12 © Getty Images

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It was a weekend when the back-rowers excelled, with four of Australia's best polling top votes and former Wallabies captain David Pocock taking over the lead atop the Growden Medal count. Pocock and his Waratahs counterpart, Michael Hooper, both performed well in the supposed tussle for the Australia No.7 Test jersey - and it difficult to choose who finished on top of that outcome.

Force captain Matt Hodgson was at the heart of his team's late fightback against the Blues, while Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham was crucial in leading them to a special win over the Chiefs.

The standout try, meanwhile, came from Rebels half-back Nic Stirzaker - who scooted through to score from a lineout win to give them a commanding 16-3 lead.

Brumbies v Waratahs

7.5: David Pocock (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs)

7: Jesse Mogg (Brumbies), Christian Leali'ifano (Brumbies), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Will Skelton (Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)

Blues v Force

7.5: Matt Hodgson (Force)

7: Ben McCalman (Force)

Rebels v Chiefs

7.5: Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)

7: Mitch Inman (Rebels), Jack Debreczeni (Rebels), Jordy Reid (Rebels), Lopeti Timani (Rebels). Luke Jones (Rebels)

Progress Points

45: David Pocock (Brumbies)

44.5: Will Genia (Reds)

43: Nic Stirzaker (Rebels)

41: Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)

34.5: Nic White (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Waratahs)

34: Mike Harris (Rebels), Ben McCalman (Force)

28.5: Liam Gill (Reds), Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

28: Sean McMahon (Rebels)

27.5: Scott Fardy (Brumbies)

26: Sam Carter (Brumbies)

22: Christian Leali'ifano (Brumbies)

21.5: Israel Folau (Waratahs), Robbie Coleman (Brumbies)

21: Alby Mathewson (Force), Adam Thomson (Reds), Lopeti Timani (Rebels), Luke Jones (Rebels)

20.5: Samu Kerevi (Reds)

14.5: Jarrad Butler (Brumbies), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Matt Hodgson (Force), Jack Debreczeni (Rebels)

14: Scott Sio (Brumbies), Will Skelton (Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Jordy Reid (Rebels)

13.5: Zac Holmes (Force), Adam Coleman (Force), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Nick Frisby (Reds), Kyle Godwin (Force), Mitch Inman (Rebels)

13: Tamati Ellison (Rebels), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force)

12: Rob Horne (Waratahs)

8: Luke Burgess (Rebels), Ben Alexander (Brumbies)

7.5: Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Quade Cooper (Reds), James O'Connor (Reds)

7: Rory Arnold (Brumbies), Jarrad Butler (Brumbies), Sam Talakai (Reds), Lachie Turner (Reds), Matt Toomua (Brumbies), Chris Alcock (Force), Matt Carraro (Waratahs), Jake Schatz (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Sefanaia Naivalu (Rebels), Peter Betham (Waratahs), Steve Mafi (Force), Adam Korczyk (Reds), Paul Alo-Emile (Rebels), Blake Enever (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Jacques Potgieter (Waratahs), Jesse Mogg (Brumbies)

6.5: Angus Cottrell (Force), Henry Speight (Brumbies), Joe Tomane (Brumbies), Scott Fuglistaller (Rebels), Jordan Smiler (Brumbies)

6: Sias Ebersohn (Force)