Australia's Super Rugby AU tournament might have impressed in recent times, but the task on Dave Rennie's plate was there for everyone to see on Saturday night as Will Jordan lit up Sky Stadium in Wellington to see New Zealand's South Island steal victory against their North Island rivals.
Jordan - the uncapped Crusader - leapt in the air like Israel Folau over Mitch Hunt and plucked the ball out of thin air to score the matchwinner as South stole a 38-35 win in the 86th minute.
It was a moment of magic that will surely have caught the attention of new All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who was in the empty stands along with national selector Grant Fox, ahead of New Zealand's Sunday squad announcement.
New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia are working towards an October 10 Bledisloe opener, with the Test season still to be set in stone.
Two tries in quick succession had earlier given the North Island a four-point lead as Rieko Ioane scored his second try in the 67th minute and five minutes later veteran Ash Dixon crossed.
But Dixon's lineout blunder, which came after Ardie Savea won a crucial penalty on their own line which looked like being the match-sealing play, gave the South Island one more chance.
After a series of penalties, Josh Ioane kicked across field for his flying winger and the 22-year-old Jordan scored his second try.
Earlier, both sides traded blows in the first half in a see-sawing contest that saw the South Island take a 17-14 lead at half-time.
Both sides crossed for two tries apiece, but the boot of Jordie Barrett gave South a narrow lead.
Rieko Ioane crossed first for the North, charging onto a lovely grubber from his Blues teammate Beauden Barrett in the fifth minute.
North hit back straight away though as Nepo Laulala powered his way over from close range.
A penalty to Jordie Barrett gave South a 10-7 lead after minutes.
But a splendid running rugby converted try to Damian McKenzie saw North regain the lead.
Jordie Barrett's converted try in the 33rd minute saw South take the lead back.
The second-half was a continuation of the first, as reserve halfback Aaron Smith made his presence immediately felt by scoring.
But the South Island hit back by scoring two tries of their own as Jordan scored his first and then former Melbourne Rebel Tyrel Lomax crossed to open up a 31-20 lead.
Two tries in five minutes saw North take the lead, but it wasn't enough with South Island stealing the late victory.
AT A GLANCE
SOUTH ISLAND 38 (Jordan 2, Laulala, J.Barrett, Lomax tries; J.Barrett 5 con; J.Barrett pen) bt NORTH ISLAND 35 (R.Ioane 2, McKenzie, Smith, Dixon tries; McKenzie 5 goals)
