After representing USA in a historic rugby Test against the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 1, Bullaburra-raised Hayden Smith has continued to impress at club level for north London powerhouse side Saracens.
The giant lock forward started for Sarries one week later in their 21-9 Anglo Welsh Cup win against Ospreys and finished 2014 by helping the club's academy team, the Storm, beat the Wasps 43-17 in an Aviva A-League clash at Allianz Park on December 15.
Smith was called upon again in the Storm's A-League grand final match against the Worcester Cavaliers - the only other team that remained undefeated throughout the season.
Saracens ran out 27-19 winners in a tight contest that saw Sarries ward off attack after attack in the final 10 minutes on a soggy pitch at Worcester's home ground, Sixways Stadium.
Sarries' skills coach Joe Shaw said "incredible spirit" drove his team to excel this season and he paid special tribute to Smith's commitment in defence at crucial parts of the match.
"Hayden had come back after a month on the sidelines and gave us an unbelievable amount of energy," Shaw said.
"The hits he put in . . . his performance tonight exemplified what we're all about."
Experienced Saracens loose end prop Rhys Gill agreed.
"Hayden was brilliant and he changed the game for us in the last five minutes with some big hits," the Welsh international said.
"They [Worcester] were a good side and conditions were rubbish so the boys really had to get stuck in.
"We're in a good place and the future of Saracens looks like it's in good hands."
Smith said he was just happy to be able to help the club's academy side - featuring a mix of experienced and up-and-coming players - win the grand final.
"I think all year these guys have bonded together really well and dug deep when it counts and tonight was no different," Smith said.
"It was a lot of fun to play in that game.
"The Warriors stuck together, their drive [forward)] was amazing and it put us under a lot of pressure.
"They made us work really hard to get the result."
With Saracens' senior side continuing to remain at the top end of the Aviva Premiership halfway through the season and topping its pool in the European Cup Championships, Smith may have to be patient until his next call-up at that level.
But his promising form of late puts him in good stead for selection in the Sarries' next Anglo Welsh Cup game against London Welsh on February 1.
