Canada spoiled Jo Yapp's first game as Wallaroos coach as they powered their way to a 33-14 victory in Sydney.
The Wallaroos were unable to back up their WXV heroics from last year, struggling to stop a dominant forwards pack.
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So what did we learn?
It was fitting that all 33 points for Canada came from their forward pack as they proved the difference.
Hooker Sara Cline was a big reason behind the Force’s success in Super Rugby W and her double reflected their dominance at set-piece time, joined by props McKinley Hunt and DaLeaka Menin.
At one point, they rolled the Australian pack 20 metres backwards and they had little answer to their power.
The Canadians’ forward pack were immense in setting the tempo early with their physicality, battering the Wallaroos forwards through their pick-and-goes across the 80 minutes.
The Wallaroos got a great barometer about how much work is left to do if they wish to compete consistently with the best in the world.
It was a rusty start to the Test season against a Canadian side that opened their Pac Four account as the Super Rugby W season was concluding.
The Wallaroos' 14 points were the most they’ve scored against the fourth ranked side but they failed to deal with the visitors’ rapid ruck speed and physicality.
They will fancy their chances against the USA, who were thumped by New Zealand in Hamilton earlier in the day.
Siokapesi Palu’s transformation as a backrower has been a joy to watch as she finds a key spot in the Wallaroos pack.
Palu was the Wallaroos' best attacking option in the first half, creating opportunities and looking dangerous whenever she was near the play.
She was denied a great try in the 15th minute that the Brumbies captain started before finishing strong in the corner after a knock-on earlier in the play.
Fellow flanker Ash Marsters was also strong whilst number eight Piper Duck got through a mountain of work.
Jo Yapp will be disappointed with how the Australians failed to take advantage of the numbers early in the second after Maddy Grant’s yellow card.
With the game in the balance, they conceded almost instantly when DaLeaka Menin snuck through the gap whilst engaging in a losing kicking battle.
When they decided to throw the ball around they looked dangerous even when Grant returned, only for the execution to let them down.
It's moments like this where you need to capitalise if you wish to contend with the top teams in the world.
Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard talked about a great licence to thrill, which showed in glimpses throughout the game.
There were multiple times inside their 22 where they looked to counterattack rather than instantly looking to clear their line.
It’s a dicey game to play with just nine days in camp before this Test and Clyne’s second try came off the back of a loose pass close to their line that invited pressure whilst at moments they were guilty of overthinking
It’ll be exciting to watch when it all comes together with their exciting wingers and ball-playing backrowers.
