Super Rugby AU is well underway with the eyes of the rugby world on the competition to see if the new and innovative law trials will add a different dimension to play.

While it is far too early to see what sort of impact the laws could have if applied long-term, some of the players at the five teams have wasted no time in making a positive impression at the embryonic stage of the competition.

Despite being just four weekends into the season, there have been plenty of moments of magic and talking points. And visitors to World Rugby's dedicated Super Rugby AU website page can catch up with all the highlights and register to watch matches live – for free.

Here we highlight five players to look out for in the weeks ahead.

Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds)

After a delayed start to his rugby union career in Australia, Suliasi Vunivalu made his debut with a brief cameo off the bench for the Reds in their second game of the season, a 23-21 win over the Rebels.

Vunivalu only had time for one carry but the Rugby League superstar will be the man to look out for when he makes his first start in Saturday's Super Rugby AU 2020 Grand Final rematch against the Brumbies in Canberra.

With his athleticism, pace and power, the former Melbourne Storm winger has all the attributes to be as big a success in the 15-man game as fellow cross-coder Marika Koroibete.

Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies)

There was more than a touch of George Gregan about the delicious no-look, inside flick pass that put Tom Banks in for a try in last week’s thrilling 27-24 win against the Rebels. 

Not content with that, the former Junior Wallaby scrum-half then stepped up and showed nerves of steel to nail a long-distance penalty kick into a howling gale to prevent the match from going into ‘super time’.

Taniela Tupou (Reds)

Who doesn’t love a prop who can run as fast as a back and has the handling skills to match?

A regular crowd-pleaser with his barn-storming runs, Tupou is a one-man wrecking ball whose destructive scrummaging is often overshadowed by his open-play antics. You don’t win two Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year awards in three years without having all the strings to your bow.

Carlo Tizzano (Waratahs)

A veritable tackling machine who has stepped out of the shadow of Michael Hooper following the test centurion’s departure to Japan.

Forwards coach Matt Cockbain described him as “all guts and go” and that was evident in a titanic battle with opposite number Fraser McReight when the ‘Tahs played the Reds.

Tizzano made 25 tackles with the odd turnover thrown in for good measure and is way ahead of any of his rivals in the defensive stats. With Lachlan Swinton alongside him, the ‘Tahs have a couple of real firebrands in the back row.

Rob Kearney (Western Force)

The multi-decorated Ireland and Lions star swapped Dublin for Perth and has already shown his new audience a glimpse of the talent that saw him win 98 international caps, two Six Nations Grand Slams and four Heineken Cup winner’s medals.

The full-back brought an abundance of energy in his first outing for the Force, a 27-11 defeat to the Brumbies, before making a crucial contribution to the team’s first Super Rugby win in almost four years, as they defeated the Waratahs. Kearney carried with purpose and made 76 metres.

Read more: World Rugby to live stream Super Rugby AU for free in key territories >>