Kurtley Beale and Matt Toomua look set for an extended run as Australia's chief playmakers after steering the team to a vital win over South Africa.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was satisfied with the pair's output in conditions not exactly suited to them in the 23-18 victory on Saturday night.
Constant rain in Brisbane earlier in the day made for a slippery deck at Suncorp Stadium and a gritty contest between two sides who were desperate for a positive result.
Much to Cheika's relief it was the hosts who prevailed, snapping a run of four consecutive defeats to breathe life into their flagging Rugby Championship campaign.
Cheika had shaken up his team by dropping Bernard Foley to the bench in favour of Beale and Toomua at five-eighth and inside centre.
That's the way it will remain for the short term at least, with Cheika keen to get a longer look at the new-look combination in action.
"I definitely think that they did a good job out there in some difficult circumstances sometimes," Cheika said of Beale and Toomua.
"They had some nice plays set up that just didn't come off, but that's the first week they've played together.
"When Foley came on and we played in the triangle, the three of them, I think they managed that really well.
"That's exactly what we want - competition for those spots."
Toomua contributed 15 points, scoring one try - an absolute gift from the Springboks after an overcooked lineout throw that fell straight to him - and converting two penalties which were the only scores in a tough second half.
"It wasn't perfect but we found a way to grind it out and that's some good signs there," Toomua told Fox Sports.
The Wallabies were rocked by two pre-match withdrawals, with Israel Folau (ankle) and Adam Coleman (personal reasons) scratched from the team before kick-off - compounding the loss of David Pocock (neck) the day before.
Of that trio only Coleman, who flew out to be with his heavily pregnant wife, would be considered a certainty to face Argentina on the Gold Coast next weekend.
Cheika said both Folau and Pocock were still struggling with their injuries and was hopeful but not quite confident they would feature against Los Pumas, who are coached by former Wallabies scrum guru Mario Ledesma.
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