James O'Connor has had many bright spots in his short rugby career, but the 18-year-old prodigy admits nothing can top his three-try haul against Italy on Saturday night.
The baby-faced full-back's charmed run continued as he celebrated his run-on debut in fine style in freezing conditions at Canberra Stadium.
O'Connor scored twice in the first-half on the back of some slick lead-up work from Matt Giteau, but his hat-trick try showcased his rare talent as he made world-class No.8 Sergio Parisse look like an amateur.
"It was an awesome experience in itself, just the atmosphere out there and the physicality of the game," O'Connor enthused.
"I think I found out early, I got dumped on my head the first touch of the ball, but definitely we stuck to the game plan well ... and I think we executed well."
While he is not generally known for his modesty, the youngster conceded he had Giteau and winger Lachie Turner to thank for his first two five-pointers.
"I find he always gives me a few gift tries, I think I've experienced that in the Super 14 season," he said of Giteau.
"But I got some good opportunist tries early, I think maybe Gitty and Lachie (Turner) both could have scored themselves, so it's good team work and I was just happy to be there."
Asked if he had fallen victim to the pre-match jitters, O'Connor replied: "I tried to stay relaxed all day pretty much and I had lots of support from the senior players in the team - definitely Gits helped settled my nerves a little bit."
"The game plan for me was just to play along, play good structure and serve the boys out wide and give that voice."
"I think we ended up playing pretty well so I was happy with that."
Meanwhile, coach Robbie Deans conceded the talented teenager had created a selection dilemma, with regular full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper also in rare form.
"It's great, I mean we need more than 22 blokes, we need more than 30 blokes ultimately," he said.
"Everyone will get opportunities throughout the whole year the critical thing is that they're good to go when they do - (so they're) good problems (to have)."
Italy coach Nick Mallett agreed Deans is spoiled for choice at the selection table.
"He's a very exciting player, he ran a beautiful line on that first try and Giteau gave him a lovely pass," he said of O'Connor.
"And then he scored a good try, I mean Sergio won't be happy with the tackle he missed there because he should have put him down, but give credit where it's due he stayed on his feet well and he spun a bit out of the tackle and showed good strength."
"Australia's very lucky because (Adam Ashley-Cooper) he's a very good player as well so, you've got two very good options there."