The Wallaroos maintained their unbeaten record against Fijiana with a 33-15 win on Friday night in Canberra.
Rookie flyhalf Nicole Ledington shone on debut while the class of veteran trio Maya Stewart, Georgina Friderichs and Desiree Miller helped secure victory as the visitors threatened to spoil the party at GIO Stadium.
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So, what did we learn?
The Wallaroos ran in five tries but will rue two earlier chances missed to debutant Brooklyn Teki Joyce from close range and Emily Chancellor over the chalk.
Meanwhile an overturned try in the 68th minute and Kolora Lomani’s 75th minute fumble with the line begging could’ve seen a genuine Fijiana boilover on Friday.
But the Wallaroos scrapped hard and did enough to secure a fifth straight Vuvale Bowl victory.
Two early strikes to Ledington and Bridie O'Gorman proved the difference with Desiree Miller’s late five-pointer flattering Australia’s final margin.
Skipper Pesi Palu Sekona was the standout with her second half try a cherry atop her 16 tackles and two turnovers, Kaitlan Leaney and Piper Duck were unsung stars up front, and Sam Wood’s flawless goal kicking proved vital.
Out of six Test debuts, Nicole Ledington’s was the most exciting.
The Force flyhalf looked at ease in the gold number 10, slicing Fiji apart for the opening try and showcasing her long passing game.
Ledington wasn't just an attacking asset though - she didn't miss a tackle and her covering try-saver late in the second half was just as important as her own five-pointer.
Her fellow rookie Roos got plenty of work in too - Lily Bone’s eight from eight tackles and vital charge down stemmed Fiji’s fightback, Britt Merlo shrugged off defenders and was solid at set piece, and Teki Joyce showed plenty with limited opportunities.
Bone’s support crew deserves its own mention, too, as cheers and green wigs went flying upon her entry.
We’re giving the Sevens duo a segment of their own - and Sidney Taylor is the deserving headline.
Taylor led the Wallaroos for metres gained (90.2), defenders beaten (five), breakdown steals (two) and didn’t miss from 10 tackles at outside centre.
The Queenslander was superb on debut and will give interim coach Sam Needs plenty of welcome headaches in a midfield pool with veterans Cecilia Smith and Georgina Friedrichs.
Piper Simons’ 13-minute cameo proved the transition isn’t always an instant hit with the Fijian pack putting pressure on her ruck ball.
But the 20-year-old will be better for the experience and a genuine threat once her running game gets rolling.
The Wallaroos rolled the dice with six debutants but backed their experienced campaigners to finish the job from the bench.
Friedrichs and Miller did exactly that - the former setting up Stewart's 60th minute try and Miller shining late with key exits from her own 22m
Michaela Leonard and Eva Karpani also clutched up in the moments that mattered, both winning turnovers and nailing all their tackles.
Bringing those veterans on alongside the likes of Merlo and Bone proved a masterstroke as the Roos held on for a vital win.
Fijiana were too close for comfort throughout much of that opening Test but Australia are nevertheless off to a winning start.
Now, it's time to set sights on their Pacific Four rivals - and we'll learn much more about this Roo Crew across April.
The Wallaroos head to Sacramento as rank underdogs against World Cup finalists Canada in two weeks.
They'll then tackle a USA side still stinging from their early Pool A exit last year before jet-setting back to Australia for the inaugural ANZAC Day Test against New Zealand.
Fans will expect victory against the United States but there's history to be made against the Canadians and Black Ferns if Palu Sekona's side can seize their opportunities.
