For the "Beast" this is one of the best. Manu Vatuvei rates this Kiwis Four Nations triumph as one of the greatest moments of his career.
That might help put the achievement in perspective, as he's been around forever; the only survivor from the 2005 Tri Nations win, Vatuvei wasalso part of the World Cup triumph three years later.
His trademark smile lit up the Kiwis' dressing room after the match, as he took in his teammates' congratulations.
Vatuvei had an immense game on Saturday night, scoring two crucial tries and terrorising the Australian defensive line with some brutal charges. His 21 carries yielded 192m, as well as three tackle busts and two line breaks.
Vatuvei has been one of the feel-good stories of this Four Nations tournament. He didn't even make the squad in Brisbane but ends the tournament with another selection for the highlight reels.
"This is right up there," said Vatuvei. "After missing out on the Anzac test and then last year not winning the World Cup - we were devastated. So to get this is even better. I'm just over the moon."
When he wasn't selected for this year's Anzac test, many wondered if his international career was over. But Vatuvei - as he has done throughout his career - continues to defy the doubters. Despite all his achievements (he's now the leading try scorer for both the Warriors and the Kiwis) his merits are often debated, with the Warriors and the Kiwis.
Vatuvei continues to defy the doubters. Photo / Getty
Sure, he has mistakes in him but he managed two tries on Saturday that only he could score. The way Vatuvei steamrolled over multiple defenders to get the ball down in the second half took incredible strength, as did his first half try, ploughing over centimetres from the sideline.
"The only thing I was worried about was my leg - if it had touched the sideline - but the rest I was confident," said Vatuvei of his 35th minute try. The try was memorable, both for Shaun Johnson's hot-stepping run and Vatuvei's brilliant half-volleyed pick-up of the long pass flung to the sideline.
" ... once I felt that ball in my hands I knew what I had to do and I was lucky enough to get across the line."
