Wallabies coach Les Kiss will ponder reinforcements for the second Test against Japan, this Saturday in Townsville, as the coach hunts a far more complete performance than the scratchy 35-32 win in Osaka at the weekend.
Australia were made to work all the way to the final whistle on Saturday as Eddie Jones' team capitalised on multiple Wallabies mistakes and some disconnected Australian defence in Kiss' first outing as Test coach, the Queenslander later cutting a relieved figure after narrowly avoiding what would have been a devastating upset to start his tenure.
In the end, a late Taniela Tupou try from close range gave Australia just enough breathing room to deny the Brave Blossoms, whose earlier call to take a second penalty goal from right in front when they had the visitors on the ropes must surely have eased some Australian nerves.
While the hosts did score a late try through skipper Warner Dearns, there were only 90 seconds left on the clock and the Wallabies' defence held firm to force an error and end the contest.
However, several moments from Saturday's three-point victory will have left Kiss pondering his starting XV for the second Test, the 10-hour flight home ample time to assess the performance of fly-half Declan Meredith in particular.
The Brumbies No. 10 endured the toughest outing of his three straight Tests in the playmaking hotseat, with a series of poor exits putting Australia under pressure after points. Meredith did however plug the corner with two excellent penalty kicks and also showed sharp hands in the movement that saw Tom Wright score Australia's second try in the first half.
But Meredith's decision to take a quick tap from a scrum penalty, which he then fumbled before the Wallabies turned the ball over two phases later, early in the second half, was inexcusable.
What may make Kiss' decision at fly-half that little bit easier is the return of fit-again Carter Gordon who is likely to be available for selection this week. The counter argument to rushing Gordon straight back in is the fact that he has suffered an injury on each of the two times he has returned to the starting side since his switch back from rugby league.
But the Wallabies are undoubtedly a more fluid outfit with Gordon at No. 10, while Ryan Lonergan's goal-kicking has removed the one key issue with the Reds playmaker's game at Test level.
Ben Donaldson, who has only been used off the bench so far this season, is another five-eighth Kiss can call on in Townsville.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies will also have at least one change in the second row after Miles Amatosero was red-carded in his first run-on start.
While debate continues to rage around whether Amatosero's reckless clean-out on Japan skipper Dearns could have been mitigated down to a yellow on account of his opposing second-rower's late drop in bodyheight, the fact that the hot-headed Waratahs lock has already found himself in trouble at Test level will surprise no-one.
But Amatosero's likely absence - the Wallabies are yet to confirm whether they will attempt to fight his red-card at the judiciary on Monday evening - could open the door for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to play his first Test of the year after he was omitted from Joe Schmidt's final squad last month.
Salakaia-Loto was among the standout locks in Super Rugby Pacific this season, before Kiss resisted the temptation to rush him straight back into the matchday 23 in Osaka.
Tom Hooper is another potential option at lock, after the Wallabies confirmed he would link up with the squad in Brisbane after overcoming the shoulder injury he picked up against Ireland last month.
While Townsville will be warmer than every other Australian Test venue on Saturday, it will be far more comfortable than the challenging conditions that greeted the Wallabies in Osaka.
Australia last year produced one of their most memorable wins under Schmidt at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, after skipper Harry Wilson's decision not to take a draw from a penalty goal brought about a try to Angus Bell that sunk Argentina after fulltime.