Getting put through the Bledisloe Cup wringer by New Zealand is the best preparation the Wallabies could ask for as they aim for an unlikely grand slam, lock Adam Coleman says.
The Australian team departs for their five-match European tour on Friday, less than a week after their controversial 37-10 defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park.
But Coleman believes that experience will hold them in good stead - particularly for himself and Rory Arnold, who will look to build on their burgeoning second-row combination after more than holding their own against established New Zealand pair Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
"They're a quality outfit, they've been together for eight to 10 years, playing at the Crusaders together and with the All Blacks," Coleman said.
"Going over (to Europe) it's definitely going to help us.
"It's always a great moment to play against the All Blacks. We had a solid week of training and a very good preparation.
"I don't think we were unprepared, it's just certain things didn't go our way in the game and that's what it is at Test footy."
Coleman said it has been a "dream come true" to make seven Test appearances in his debut year with the Wallabies.
"You still pinch yourself, doing all the travelling we get to do already - I've never been to England or Europe before," he said.
But he's not going as a tourist - Coleman confirmed Australia's grand slam ambitions are for real.
"We have talked about it as a team. It's pretty exciting, we actually get to look forward to a common goal," he said.
"Hopefully we can go over there and give it a real good crack."
