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It might have been his best work in the All Black jersey. Some adjudicators in Hong Kong agreed as they awarded Isaia Toeava the man of the match trophy in the final chapter of this season's transtasman duels.
If anyone has been a recent enigma in the All Blacks, it is Toeava, who was taken as the wunderkind investment on the 2005 Grand Slam tour but whose test career has spluttered since.
He made his debut at fullback against Scotland but was then shuffled around the backline until his second fullback start against the Wallabies.
The 22-year-old admitted he was nervous when asked to deputise for baby-bound Mils Muliaina, but in their time together with the squad he had learned a great deal about how the test regular dealt with the fullback duties.
He had been helped by getting a few early touches which settled his nerves. When a puff of rain came through during the test, it had created a few difficulties and he had suffered cramp late in the match.
It was about the time he had a kick charged down in his 22, probably his only blemish of the evening with the rebound fortunately slewing to safety in the deadball area.
His quick pass helped to deliver Sivivatu's try straight after halftime as the All Blacks drew level and his efforts were rewarded with his man of the match vote and a trophy he said he would give to his parents.
It had been nice to reward the selectors for their continued faith in him, it was over to them which position they wanted him to play.
"It is a good feeling," he said, and "Wayne Smith helped me a lot during the week."
