The Wallaroos were shut out 24-0 by world number two Canada in a game dominated by the conditions.
The Aussies never really found their feet as the pitch was drenched from a storm that delayed proceedings for over an hour.
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So what did we learn?
The reality is that if this weren’t an international, the game probably wouldn’t have gone ahead, given the intense thunder and lightning in the area.
The conditions were so bad that not even fans brave enough to weather the storm were allowed to attend, at the local police's orders.
It neutralised both teams’ offences as the ball resembled an overgrown ball of soap.
This is now becoming a common trend within Australian Rugby; the fourth big game that has been delayed due to weather in the last nine months.
Even in the conditions, Canada’s pack remained unstoppable.
Their power was too tough to handle at scrum time, winning penalties whenever they wanted. This extended into their maul, which constantly won ground.
While the Australian defence was much improved close to the line, it only delayed the inevitable as the World Cup finalists showed their might.
It represents the growth needed if they are to be one of the best in the world.
Samantha Wood’s box-kicking was a huge point of difference early on for the Aussies.
Wood is one of the best kickers in the game and it allowed great territory for the Wallaroos to apply pressure.
They strayed a little from it as the field got drier, but it was a weapon that needed to be utilised more often.
The Wallaroos will take confidence out of their defensive shift, particularly from close to their line.
As mentioned didn’t allow a rolling maul try to a Canadian pack that often takes those as a given, whilst forcing timely errors and turnovers.
Tiarah Minns (18 tackles, no misses), Emily Chancellor (17) and Kaitlan Leaney (15) were the leaders while Piper Duck (11) and Lily Bone (10) put in big shifts in limited minutes.
The penalty count is a concern, though, 10 conceded on defence and likely 10 more advantages.
Sam Needs will be targeting next week’s game against the USA as a major benchmark to see where this team lies heading into the rest of the year.
The hosts pushed the Black Ferns early in their game, only to be blown away, even with the Kiwis copping a red card.
The likes of Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller will have itchy feet after the nature of the contest meant they had few clean chances to show their explosiveness.
The two teams played an entertaining 31-all draw at last year’s World Cup, with victory proof of improvement under the interim coach.
