Dylan Pietsch has walked off an obscure Parisian field on the southern outskirts of the French capital in full view of Wallabies coach Eddie Jones feeling content.
The Indigenous utility's aptitude to impact on the scoreboard all but demonstrated the underlining difference from Portugal causing an upset against Australia A on Sunday.
The Australians, who were fighting for one of 22 spots in Jones's best World Cup team or to be a contender for injury cover from outside of the official 33-man squad, snuck home 30-17 in one of two warm-up trials ahead of facing Georgia on September 9.
The full-strength Wallabies 41-17 loss to Cup hosts France, at the other end of Paris in the more salubrious Stade de France, asked more questions than the result answered.
Same could be said about Australia A bombing most openings to score a multitude of tries after either lacking the required patience or simply through poor decision-making.
But two calming tries from Pietsch among his powerful runs with ball in hand had the flanker-turned-winger only add further to one of Australia's few strengths out wide.
"That was a good game against Portugal," Pietsch told National Indigenous Times.
"It was really fun to have a run around with a team that's going to play in the World Cup."
Just the abundance of threatening wingers, Marika Korobete, Suliasi Vunivalu, Mark Nawaqanitawase, all of Fijian backgrounds, and Max Jorgensen, returning from long-term injury in a battle for two run-on spots, have kept Pietsch out of contention.
But the proud Wiradjuri man proved to always be a continual threat, and one of the distinct standouts against a plucky Portugal at the weekend.
Pietsch, who was in Wallabies training squad for both the Rugby Championship and for the Bledisloe Cup Tests, was not handed a debut cap, which would have made history as the 15th Indigenous Australian man to represent his country.
But the 25-year-old's focus was anything but earning an appearance in the World Cup.
"I don't think I'm out there trying to prove a point (to Jones) – I'm just really enjoying playing rugby," he said.
"But obviously I back my skill set and what I bring."
Jones, dressed in casual attire, watched with a few hundred spectators from a small stand at the Stade Jules Ladoumague, isolated away from Australia A coaching staff.
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The deadpanning compared to the animated antics usually associated during a heated international game gave Piestch little idea what the national head coach was thinking.
"Nah, he hasn't spoken to me – I think he's a bit busy," Pietsch laughed.
But Jones should have come out of his seat minutes into the key clash impressed after scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan found Pietsch to score Australia A's second try and an early 12-0 lead.
Looking for a third cross, the Australians turned the ball over inexplicably close to the line and Portugal pounced on the switch of momentum, much to the ardent delight of Os Lobos fans, taking an unexpected 14-12 lead into half time.
Only a great cutout pass from prop Tom Lambert set Pietsch into space for his second try to regain the lead and swing play back in favour of the second-string side.
Playing with more famous names including backs James O'Connor and Bernard Foley, Pietsch continues to build nicely off a breakout Super Rugby season.
So much so that the performance was also Pietsch's first serious outing since running out for NSW Waratahs that will now extend onto the Barbarians tour of England and Wales all the while the World Cup campaign continues across the channel.
"That was the most rugby I've played in a few months, and I absolutely loved being out there," Pietsch said.
"Always special playing for your country.
"So good just to play – I forgot how much I loved rugby."
Australia A coach Jason Gilmore, who will go onto coach the invitational BaaBaas that will include New Zealanders, South African and Japanese players in the touring party, has also given some hope to Pietsch that grabbing his chance will not go unnoticed.
New World Cup rules have allowed the 20 international teams to draft players into their squads should injuries force others out indefinitely.
"There's going to be injuries – rarely do you get 33 (players) that starts and finishes a tournament," Gilmore said.
"But they've just got to make sure they're putting up good performances as well.
"It's one thing to be here and the Barbarians, but if you don't play well, Eddie will go in a different direction."
