Queensland Reds winger Tim Ryan has announced himself to World Rugby with a stunning hat-trick during their narrow defeat to the Blues.
The former Junior Wallaby took his opportunity to start in place of Mac Grealy, with 'The Junkyard Dog' lighting up Suncorp Stadium with his explosive style of play.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.
His chip and chase from his own in-goal in the 27th minute was a taste of what was to come as Ryan became the first Red since Rod Davies in 2011 to score a hat-trick against the Blues.
“I think that’s down to Les. He’s told me to keep it a simple game plan and back myself and that’s what I tried to," he said after the game.
“He gets it and he can help as much as any other coach could who hasn’t been in that position as a winger. It’s really good having him.
“I just think we have to keep our head high with a good win over the Highlanders last week and a tight battle with the top-of-the-table Blues so I think we can take plenty of confidence from that and just roll with it.
Ryan's third was his best and one of the tries of the year, creating something out of nothing when the Reds went down the short side from a scrum, stepping and dummying past Mark Tele'a to delight the Brisbane crowd.
His efforts deserved to be celebrated with a win, however, the Reds ran out of steam as the Blues scored three late tries, including one after the siren, to steal the victory.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu had no idea about the winger before the game (or after) but for coach Kiss, the performance was not a surprise.
"Someone mentioned that he played out of his skin but that's how he plays and trains all the time. He's just got that young vigour and he goes for things," he remarked.
"I've watched him from my first days here and in the U20s World Cup, watched footage of him from Brothers and I've loved Tim from the first day because he doesn't run out easy.
"He finished off some really special moments tonight.:
Ryan's teammates were quick to join Kiss in celebrating the winger after his performance, with number eight Harry Wilson praising his fearlessness.
“That was amazing from him. The ‘Junkyard Dog’ name has been around for a while now, he just goes at training 100% and you saw that in the way he played tonight," he said.
“It’s no surprise. He’s done it at every level he’s played and he was a game-changer for us tonight
“You look at the size of him but he doesn’t care, he thinks he’s the biggest bloke on the field.”
As for the nickname?
“You can blame ‘Fezzy’ (Matt Faessler) for that, he dropped that in a pod one time and it’s stuck," Ryan said with a smile.
“I don’t mind it so I’ll own it."
