Rookie halfback Nick Phipps admits Samoa delivered him - and Australia's other Test debutants - a rude shock in their 32-23 upset of the Wallabies on Sunday.

Phipps, who had made the meteoric rise from lower grade Sydney club rugby to the international arena in the space of 12 months, had a forgettable outing at ANZ Stadium.

The 22-year-old had a clearing kick charged down for Samoa's second try and then spilt the ball before the Pacific Islanders' match-clinching fourth five-pointer midway through the second half.

Phipps said it wasn't the pace of the game so much that surprised him but more so the intensity of the Samoan underdogs.

"Their willingness around the ruck was something that we didn't see coming first up," he said.

"They did really well, getting over there disrupting our ball, pinching a lot of it ... the physicality around the ruck and the willingness of the players was definitely something that was a step up from Super Rugby."

Queensland flyer Rod Davies, who was only called up for his maiden Test start on Saturday after James O'Connor was ruled out with a hamstring strain, also had a baptism of fire.

Davies had to mark giant winger Alesana Tuilaga, whose 65-metre opening try in the 12th minute proved merely the start of a mighty game from the 111kg powerhouse.

"He's pretty big, he's pretty agile as well. Credit to him, he played a great game and got the points today," Davies said.

"Obviously, that's not the way I pictured my debut Test. I guess the only way is up from here.

"Back to the drawing board and look for the positives in the game and obviously the negatives we'll work on, which is plenty for me."

Centre Pat McCabe celebrated his Test debut with a big midfield hit in the opening exchanges but said he'd trade anything for a win.

"When you lose a game like that, it's tough individually to take too much out of it at this stage," McCabe said.

"I'll have a look at it later in the week, but I'm feeling pretty flat at the moment."

Big lock Sitaleki Timani also rued a "pretty tough" first day on the job for the Wallabies, while flanker Beau Robinson said his half-hour cameo was rugged to say the least.

"Against Samoa, you always expect a physical game and that it was," Robinson said.

"I think the boys were probably just out-played, out-enthused. The Samoans, you could see during the game, they were really pumped up.

"And as everybody knows, if you give those Pacific Islanders half a sniff, they'll take it, won't they?

"They were quite a spirited team and we probably didn't play smart enough."

Coach Robbie Deans refused to offer any promises to his rookies.

"It's a game they'll remember, obviously," he said.

"We don't pore over individuals at this point. Obviously, they won't have enjoyed that experience as much as any of the blokes that have been out there previously.

"But for those who get the call again, they've had a good learning experience."

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