There was just a coat of paint as the saying goes between Harry Wilson and a dream Wallabies debut as the former Gunnedah junior reiterated what a bright future he has at a wet and windy Wellington on Sunday.
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Just as he had done eight months earlier in his Super Rugby debut, the 20-year old looked far from out of place in the test environment in what was an incredible Bledisloe Cup opener.
Looking to end a 19-year hoodoo against the All Blacks in New Zealand, the Wallabies had to settle for a 16-all draw after Reece Hodge's long-range penalty attempt after the siren hit the right upright and rebounded back into the field of play.
From there it was nine minutes of mayhem, both sides having their chance to snatch the win before James O'Connor eventually booted the ball into touch after the Wallabies had somehow scrambled to hold the All Blacks out and force a turnover.
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Something he had "always dreamed of", Wilson belted out the national anthem with gusto before turning in an impressive 65 minute shift.
Back in the No.6 jersey that he had starred in for the Junior Wallabies at last year's World Cup, as has been the case since he burst onto the Super Rugby scene in Canberra back in late January, Wilson's performance earned him plenty of praise.
Former Wallabies Matt Burke and Justin Harrison both commented in the post-match coverage that he was outstanding.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie also thought he had a great game.
"I thought he was really strong," Rennie said in the post-match press conference.
One of three debutants in the starting side, if there were any nerves Wilson, didn't show any sign of them with some good early touches. He got into his work straight away, making the first of his 12 carries (according to RUGBY.com.au stats) just over a minute in.
He was effective with his carries too gaining 29 metres - the second-most of any of the Wallabies forwards.
His ability to read the game and work the space was also on show. He was a consistent threat in the 15 metre channel and twice in the opening 10 minutes put a runner outside of him away.
In the first instance it was Reds' team-mate Filipo Daugunu, Wilson backing up in support just not able to reel in the return offload.
Later in the game his dummy run attracted two All Blacks defenders and created the space for Daugunu to score and level the scores at 13-all.
Speaking before the game, Wilson had said that the All Blacks held no fear for him, and the new-look Wallabies showed likewise, coming back from 10 points down early in the second half to hit the front with six minutes to go, and be just two minutes away from what would have been a famous win.
