HONG KONG - The All Black nominated as most likely to melt in the Hong Kong heat turned out as cool as his nickname suggests - and Isaia Toeava's Bledisloe Cup rugby finale contribution was rewarded with its own silver trophy.
Toeava's selection as a house-bound Mils Muliaina'sdeputy had been cause for anxiety given the erratic nature of his 17-test career.
Ironically, it was Muliaina who was still credited with the man of the match award after the All Blacks 19-14 victory, though the ground announcer's gaffe at Hong Kong Stadium last night was understandable.
For 75 minutes, Toeava was as stable as the 65-test veteran, despite being identified as a potential weak link.
The Wallabies sent plenty of ball and traffic in Toeava's direction but the Auckland utility was up to the task, a charged down clearing kick on the hour the only blemish of his first start at fullback since a test debut as a teenager in 2005.
Following that bleak afternoon in Edinburgh, Toeava has experienced the highs and lows of international football.
Pretoria 2006 probably ranks as the nadir while an early subbing against the Wallabies at Eden Park last season did not exactly inspire confidence.
Toeava's versatility has been both a blessing and a curse - particularly in the Air NZ Cup when an injury-hit Auckland forced him to reluctantly play at first five-eighth.
Hardly an ideal lead-up to a historic transtasman match in the Orient, but Toeava will be unfortunate to lose his place for Sunday's (NZT ) test against Scotland at Murrayfield.
With specialist fullback Cory Jane travelling plus Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui nailing down his preferred centre berth, Toeava may have expected to occupy a peripheral role on this tour.
But if he felt unwanted, there was little evidence of it post or pre-match.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith gave him a vote of confidence when Muliaina opted to stay home on parental duties, and felt his faith had been restored after the All Blacks completed a 3-1 series win.
"It's been a big test for Ice (Isaia)," he said.
"A lot of people have been questioning him. He showed his mettle.
"Picking up that trophy at the end, I'm really pleased for him, I think he'll go on from here."
Toeava was typically bashful after he collected his player of the day award.
"It's a bit too flash for me, but I'll take it home. I'll give it to Mum and Dad, they'll look after it."
The softly spoken 22-year-old automatically deflected any kudos to the absent Muliaina, Smith and a collective team effort that again saw the All Blacks fight back from adversity.
"I've learned a lot of Mils the last couple of years," he said.
Toeava had a hand in the All Blacks first five-pointer to Sitiveni Sivivatu two minutes after halftime - a split-second transfer crucial in breaking the Fijian-born wing's eight-test scoring drought.
However, it was Sivivatu's words, not deeds, that meant the most to Toeava.
"I was nervous, but Siti's been there for a while. He was talking to me the whole time."
Now, as he returns to the city where he earned his first test cap, Toeava wasn't about to talk himself up.
"On this tour there are a lot of good players with Cory Jane and Milsy coming back (after the Scottish test). All I wanted to do is go out there and take my opportunities."
- NZPA
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