The International break is upon us - there’s no Super Rugby for a month, but the latest round of games produced some more fantastic rugby that will leave the fans wanting more. Here are 5 talking points from week 14:

1) What a performance from the Waratahs. They went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs, playing them at their own game and coming out 45-25 victors. Scoring 6 tries to 4, playing exciting running rugby, the Waratahs were in the last chance saloon and they responded. A defeat here would have almost put paid to their season, but after Andrew Kellaway scored in the 2^nd half, there was no looking back. Israel Folau put in another superb performance in the 13 jersey, scoring 2 and ripping the Chiefs defence open at times. If they can play like this week in, week out, they will be challengers.

2) Another top of the table clash in New Zealand didn’t disappoint. The Hurricanes and The Highlanders went hammer and tong at each other for the full 80 minutes. In poor conditions, the skills levels of the players were incredibly high (Lima Sopoaga’s over the head kick has to get it’s own mention - if you haven’t watched it, then do). Nothing could separate the teams when the clock ticked over to 80 minutes until Ardie Savea powered his way over from close range to get the victory for the ‘Canes and thoroughly deserve his call up to the All Blacks squad for the games against Wales.

3) A poor debut season gets worse for the Jaguares. Having already lost to the Sunwolves this season, they became only the 2^nd team (after the lowly Sunwolves) to lose to the Kings. Both of these teams mentioned have been on the end of more than one thrashing this season, but poor discipline leading to two red cards condemned the Argentinians to another defeat. Both of the cards were for the same offence - making dangerous contact with the head at a ruck. If they are going to make a mark on Super Rugby, there will have to be changes next season.

4) What a superb effort it has been from Akihito Yamada. He is currently joint top of the try scoring charts with 9. In a team that has struggled, Yamada has shown his predatory instincts and is regularly the go-to guy for the Sunwolves. There have been a variety of tries, from 5 metre trot ins through to going the length of the field, beating 4 or 5 defenders. He has certainly announced himself on the Super Rugby stage and has shown that he is there to stay.

5) They have done it again! My team of the season produced arguably their most impressive performance yet. The Lions went to Loftus Versfeldt, where the Bulls very rarely lose, and not only beat them, but racked up 50 points in the process. Teams go there and simply get overpowered by the big Bulls pack. Not these Lions though. They ran them ragged - Faf De Klerk was superb in keeping the pace of the game high and the Bulls couldn’t live with them. Rohan Van Rensburg’s second try started 10 metres out from their own line, with the game won. Instead of kicking the ball out, the Lions went wide and were rewarded 90 metres later with one of the tries of the season. Playing this type of rugby, there won’t be many teams confident of going to Johannesburg and getting anything.

Written by Rob Setlzer - Writing or www.TheRugbyPod.com