Julian Savea has already been compared favourably to Jonah Lomu and his rampaging try against France in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday bore all the hallmarks of the All Blacks great.
Collecting a pass 20 metres out on the left wing, Savea had one thing on his mind.
Bang — down went opposite winger Noa Nakaitaci.
Bang — down went France fullback Scott Spedding.
Prop Rabah Slimani tried to stop Savea grounding the ball over the line but he was bashed aside, too.
High in the Millennium Stadium stand, New Zealand coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster were off their feet. There was an audible gasp around the ground. It was one of those "wow" moments that Lomu delivered so often in his ground-breaking, game-changing career.
"I was eager to get to the tryline, no matter what," Savea said. "Just being hungry to get there as fast as I can, no matter the obstacles."
The 25-year-old Savea is on course to be New Zealand's highest ever try-scorer. His hat trick against the French took him to a tournament-high eight at this World Cup, and 38 in 39 tests overall. Winger Doug Howlett holds the All Blacks' try-scoring record with 49, but Savea could easily surpass that soon.
Hansen sparked debate last year when he said Savea was "probably better" than Lomu, because he had more to his game. A New Zealand winger could hardly receive a more glowing honour.
It seems hard to believe but Savea arrived in Britain searching for his best form. It was unlikely he'd ever lose his place in the starting lineup but, with Waisake Naholo and Nehe Milner-Skudder in red-hot form, Savea needed to raise his game.
He's done that.
Two tries against Namibia. Three tries against Georgia, also in Cardiff. Another three against France.
South Africa, beware.
Savea became the third player to score a hat trick of tries in a World Cup knockout match, and the first for 20 years since Chester Williams against Samoa in 1995, andLomu against England at the same tournament. One of those Lomu tries saw him trample over Mike Catt five meters out — France's defence now knows how that feels.
Savea has also equaledthe record of Lomu and Bryan Habana of eight tries at a World Cup.
His first against France came from a deft offload by flyhalf Dan Carter in the 28th minute, then came that storming second score. He capped it off with a 45-meter sprint down the left touchline in the 58th, and by that time the French were there for the taking on every attack.
Early in the second half, referee Nigel Owens could be heard saying, "Ooh, my gosh", when Savea thundered into France replacement Remi Tales as he attempted another break inside New Zealand's 22. It was one of the few times Savea was stopped.
"It's great to see Julian playing like that — something we saw in training this week was his keenness and desire," New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said. "I've been on the receiving end of trying to tackle him in training, and I can tell you it's not easy.
"The grin from ear to ear on Savea (in the dressing room) after showed he was very happy."
Milner-Skudder also scored a try before being replaced at halftime with a sore left shoulder. That opens the door for Naholo to potentially be restored to the starting lineup against the Springboks in the semifinals at Twickenham next weekend.
One thing's for sure — Savea will be there.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.