Among a season of sparkling performances, Crusaders pivot Richie Mo'unga saved his best for when it mattered most.
Mo'unga was imperious as he steered his side to their second consecutive Super Rugby title, dictating a brick wall backline defensively and providing a constant threat on attack in negotiating a gallant Lions outfit.
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The 24-year-old's natural talent has been apparent from the moment he took the field for Canterbury in his first year out of high school, transplanting his dexterity and skill as a national touch representative seamlessly to the 15-man game.
In 2017, Mo'unga's promise was rewarded with an All Blacks call-up for their annual European tour, but this year has seen him take a drastic leap forward.
Still basking in the afterglow of his man of the match outing, the Christchurch native says it's all started up top.
"I've gained a lot of mental toughness over the year," Mo'unga said post-match. "I'd say I'm more level-headed. I have a lot more maturity to my game now.
"I'd also say I'm more of a leader now. Not only in my words but my actions, too.
"It's just standards, having real pride in my performance and my process every week. I know how much that impacts the team's performance as well if I can nail that….just real respect for preparation and confidence in my ability to do what I need to do."
Coach Scott Robertson was effusive in his praise for a player he calls "special", highlighting one particular piece that he believes has completed Mo'unga's puzzle.
"What I love about Richie is he's brave on defence," noted Robertson. "That's the biggest part of his game."
"You need to have the whole skill set to play test rugby and he showed he can do it at the highest level in a championship final."
Lions coach Swys de Bruin admitted that mitigating Mo'unga's impact had been a priority in their planning as they sought to break their finals bogey.
"He played so well," said De Bruin. "We tried to trap him but he was very good on the night.
"His ability to take it up running and play deeper, he's never caught in no man's land. He's a fantastic player. The whole season I think he was the catalyst of this team."
While Mo'unga's a certainty to be named in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad on Monday, how much game time he actually sees is another question altogether.
The selectors seem to have Damian McKenzie earmarked as an ongoing project at No. 10 and, knowing their penchant for loyalty, Mo'unga's chances of usurping an incumbent like Beauden Barrett are slim to none.
Last week, coach Steve Hansen played down Mo'unga's form as simply a by-product of a dominant Crusaders forwards, saying he's expect him to shine behind the "Rolls Royce" of packs.
Robertson couldn't resist a dig at Hansen's suggestion as he assessed his pivot's efforts.
"He beat about 20 defenders. He kicked the majority of his goals, he was tough on defence, and he's behind a Rolls Royce pack," he said with a smirk.
De Bruin offered his own parting wish for Hansen when quizzed which of Barrett or Mo'unga he believes should wear the black No. 10 jersey.
"Good luck to him," he laughed.
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