The utility back and new Western Force recruit was strong for a side that was one of only two Australian sides to reach the quarter-finals of the inaugural tournament.

He delivered the final pass for both of their tries in their opening 14-10 loss to the Bulls on Saturday.

The first was a well-timed and executed flick pass back inside to number eight Ross Haylett-Petty as the Bulls cover defence came across to halt his run to the line.

The 21-year old then scored a try in their 19-12 quarter-final loss to the Bulls, crossing untouched after a great backline move.

It put them ahead 12-nil at half-time. The Bulls hit back three minutes into the second half and scored twice again to snatch a semi-final berth from the Force’s grasp.

Gunnedah’s Ben Gunter also made a stunning return to Australian shores.

Identified by Wallabies and Toulon winger Drew Mitchell as one of the players to watch, the backrower was one of the the visiting Panasonic Wild Knights’ best. 

They were like the Force knocked out in the quarter-finals, going down to the Crusaders 12-7.

Strong in defence, Gunter — the youngest player to appear in a Japanese Top League game – also crossed the stripe, scoring the first try in their 15-5 upset win over Paddy Ryan’s Waratahs on Saturday.

The Waratahs didn’t make it through to the final eight after going down to the Wild Knights and Chiefs (26-14) before salvaging a 14-12 win over the Rebels in their final game on Sunday.