Wallabies great Tim Horan believes James O'Connor has done enough to earn selection for Joe Schmidt's squad for the upcoming Lions tour after the Crusaders defeated the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium.
O'Connor came into the match in the 50th minute and his biggest impact was late in the match when Tom Christie scored.
Off a halfway scrum, O'Connor was third receiver, following the ball to keep the Waratahs defence guessing.
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He took a pass one-handed, ran around Triston Reilly and then released Sevu Reece on the wing. The Crusaders winger grubbered inside with Christie finishing it off.
"It's an exclamation mark on a well deserved victory ... this is special," Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport.
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For Horan, it was that work from O'Connor which makes him a near certainty for Schmidt.
"I reckon that moment there from James O'Connor, that might've made Joe Schmidt go, OK I reckon I've seen enough from him now," he said.
"That was brilliant the way he got back into play."
Post-match, O'Connor told Stan Sport's Matt Burke admitted he's eager to wear the Wallabies jersey.
"I want it bad, for a good two years I didn't think it was going to be a reality but I'm just putting my head down and working. It's got me to this point so far and if I get that opportunity with Joe I'll take it with all hands hopefully," he said.
The 48-33 win for the Crusaders leaves the Waratahs with only the slightest mathematical chance of making the top six.
In their final home game of the season, the Waratahs were blown off the park, trailing 19-0 after 20 minutes.
Langi Gleeson then gave home fans something to cheer about with his first of the night.
By half time though, the Crusaders were leading 31-7. Johnny McNicholl, Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki and Ioane Moananu were the tryscorers.
Gleeson had a double when the Waratahs struck first after the break. Then it was game on when Miles Amatosero scored in the 53rd minute. However, the Crusaders' lead extended moments later as Sevu Reece scored a long distance effort.
A special Darby Lancaster put down in the 72nd minute ensured the Waratahs were still in the game at 38-28.
However, O'Connor featured with a penalty goal moments later before contributing to the Christie finish.
Waratahs winger Triston Reilly then scored the final effort, finishing off a pinpoint Joey Walton kick to the corner. The Crusaders finished 48-33 winners.