Italy's heroics have been rewarded this week, and there were impressive performances from New Zealand, Ireland and Japan as well.
Ireland were unable to recreate history with another win over the All Blacks after beating them 40-29 in Chicago, but both sides were full value in Dublin with the All Blacks managing a 21-9 win.
Elsewhere, Italy stunned the Springboks in Florence and Japan pushed Wales right to the end in Cardiff. There were plenty of influential individual performances, but who had the biggest impact? Have your say in our vote below.
15. Luke Morahan (Australia)
Morahan has been pushing his case for a starting spot for some time and took his opportunity against France in just his second start for the Wallabies. There were some big runs from the Force full-back, who broke through the first-time Les Bleus tackles with ease.
The 26-year-old was always looking to attack as well as putting in his tackles, while also dealing with the aerial assault from France.
14. Semesa Rokoduguni (England)
The Bath winger looked dangerous every time he got the ball, and from his first run against Fiji it looked like only a matter of time before he scored.
And score he did - twice in fact. Rokoduguni was awarded man of the match for his contribution, putting himself in the frame for an outing against Argentina and Australia.
13 Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
Kuridrani scored one of the tries of the season as Australia secured a 25-23 win over France in Paris. The try was reminiscent of Kevin Penny's wonder-score for Warrington in rugby league. The Brumbies centre somehow managed to get the ball down in mid-air and in touch while almost upside down.
Besides his impressive dot-down, the 43-Test international also carried well and did his share of defensive work against the French.
12. Wesley Fofana (France)
Contenders for this jersey were Italy's Luke Mclean and Ireland's Garry Ringrose, with the Irishman performing well out of his usual position when Robbie Henshaw left the field against the All Blacks.
Fofana was superb for France, though, with some beautiful footwork and an eye for the gap. There were 14 carries from the Clermont man in Paris, racking up 74 metres, and his try brought France back into the game.
11. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Elliot Daly pushed hard in an unfamiliar position on the wing, but it's Dagg who gets the nod this week for his running and play-making contribution in Dublin.
Dagg, a natural full-back, came onto the wing to counter Ireland's aerial game which they used so well in Chicago - and handled everything they kicked at him and countered brilliantly.
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
George Ford and Bernard Foley were considered, but the recently crowned World Rugby Player of the Year was instrumental for the All Blacks against Joe Schmidt's men.
His pace had Ireland's defence stretched and his game management kept tacklers on the back foot. Plenty of defensive effort as well from the Hurricanes No 10 which, along with Brodie Retallick, kept the Irish at bay.
9. Will Genia (Australia)
It was a smart game from Genia who kept France guessing with his awareness and decision-making. The Australian set up Bernard Foley's try with a quick tap and also made the break that resulted in Kuridrani's try.
A nod to Kendra Cocksedge, whose 20-point haul helped the Black Ferns produce a stunning comeback to beat England at the Stoop on Saturday.
1. Lucas Noguera (Argentina)
The Argentine gave opposition prop Zander Fagerson a real lesson up-front and did the same to Moray Low when Scotland's replacement came on.
The loosehead also made three carries and five tackles in Edinburgh.
2. Jaba Bregvadze (Georgia)
Georgia's forwards were impressive in their win over Samoa, and the Worcester hooker played a key part in proceedings.
A 100 per cent record with his lineout throws was coupled with 12 tackles to complete a valuable shift in the front row.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
One of the weekend's star performances from the Irish prop who made his mark on the All Blacks defence. Furlong carried brilliantly, with Kieran Read and Brodie Retallick sent packing in their attempts to try to stop him.
The Leinster man scrummed well and offered a few offloads from his carries on his way to beating three defenders.
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
The All Blacks promised an improved performance in Dublin and Retallick led the way in the forwards. The 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year contributed an enormous 17 tackles and also carried the ball seven times.
His work ethic around the fringes at the rucks and mauls ensured Ireland struggled to attack from close range.
5. Devin Toner (Ireland)
Toner was Ireland's go-to man at the lineout, winning nine out of 17 throws at the Aviva Stadium while also making the most tackles out of all the forwards with nine hits.
It was an influential performance from Toner who went up against the best second-row pairing in the world in the returning Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
6. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Van der Flier replaced CJ Stander and played one of the games of his life - a huge effort from him with some big carries and even bigger tackles.
Van der Flier's 51 metres was the most by any Irishman on the day - and also tied second overall in the game - and his 12 carries were impressive given his late introduction to the game in comparison with some of his team-mates.
7. Simone Favaro (Italy)
Ireland's Sean O'Brien was immense against New Zealand - he did not stop carrying for 80 minutes - however, we have to recognise Favaro's role in helping Italy beat the Springboks for the first time.
The flanker carried well - making the most metres from the second-most carries in his team - but it was in defence he truly shone, making 12 tackles while effecting two crucial turnovers.
8. Amanaki Mafi (Japan)
There were some huge performances from the likes of Jamie Heaslip, and Italy captain Sergio Parisse, but they are beaten to the No 8 jersey by Mafi.
Another tireless display from the former Bath man who was inspirational against Wales. Mafi was second in Japan's ranking for carries, but his 18 tackles were unmatched by any team-mate in Cardiff.
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