The comeback was good, now Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn wants his team to build on their thrilling 34-31 Super Rugby win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
The Reds overhauled a 21-5 halftime deficit to claim their first win of the season, with fullback Hamish Stewart's last-minute penalty securing the victory.
The triumph was sparked by the Reds bench with substitutes Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert and Tate McDermott all scoring tries in the second half comeback.
Paenga-Amosa grabbed a double while reserve halfback McDermott pounced on a Harry Hockings charge down in the dying minutes.
Stewart missed the conversion attempt after McDermott's try that would have put the Reds ahead but made no mistake minutes later with a game-winning penalty.
"Defence is important because it says who you are as a team, it talks about your character as a team," Thorn said.
"That stepped up, our attack stepped up and our set piece kind of got its opportunities.
"They believed right to the end and even when the Sunwolves got a penalty in front, I loved the belief they had for each other and hoping this really sets a marker going forward."
A win looked unlikely after a first half where the Sunwolves dominated territory and ran in three-tries-to-one.
Liam Wright's try after a 20-metre drive from a maul was all the Reds had to show as Jamie Booth, Rahboni Vasayco and Dan Pryor all scored for the Sunwolves.
Paenga-Amosa and Hoopert crossed after the Reds came out firing in the second half, reducing the deficit to two before Paenga-Amosa's second put the Reds ahead for the first time in the 66th minute.
The Reds' lead didn't last long as rookie five-eighth Isaac Lucas collided with winger Chris Feauai-Sautia from the kick-off and knocked on.
From that error the Sunwolves scored through substitute halfback Keisuke Uchida before a Hayden Parker penalty extended the margin to five.
Despite that error, Thorn reserved praise for 20-year-old Lucas in just his second Super Rugby start.
"He's just turned 20 years of age and comes from a family of rugby players," Thorn said.
"He's not a guy that gets bothered by much and he went out and played and gave it his all. He had his moments. He had some stuff that he'll learn from as well.
"The bench comes on and has probably had an impact in all four games so far. We've always finished hard, so yeah, it's good."
Both teams linked arms to mark a minute's silence for victims of the Christchurch terror attack before the match while Reds captain Samu Kerevi paid tribute to those affected in his post-match interview.
Queensland face the Brumbies in Brisbane next Sunday while the Sunwolves host the Lions next Saturday.
