Rookie halfback Nick Phipps admits Samoa delivered him - and Australia's other Test rugby debutants - a rude shock in their 32-23 upset of the Wallabies on Sunday.
Phipps, who had made the meteoric rise from lower grade Sydney club rugby to the international arena in the space of 12 months, had a forgettable outing at ANZ Stadium.
The 22-year-old had a clearing kick charged down for Samoa's second try and then spilt the ball before the Pacific Islanders' match-clinching fourth five-pointer midway through the second half.
Phipps says it wasn't the pace of the game so much that surprised him but more so the intensity of the Samoan underdogs.
Queensland flyer Rod Davies, who was only called up for his maiden Test start on Saturday after James O'Connor was ruled out with a hamstring strain, also had a baptism of fire.
Davies had to mark giant winger Alesana Tuilaga, whose 65-metre opening try in the 12th minute proved merely the start of a mighty game from the 111kg powerhouse.
Centre Pat McCabe celebrated his Test debut with a big midfield hit in the opening exchanges but said he'd trade anything for a win.
Big lock Sitaleki Timani also rued a "pretty tough" first day on the job for the Wallabies, while flanker Beau Robinson said his half-hour cameo was rugged to say the least.
