WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika will be breathing a sigh of relief after his decision to play an internal warmup match ahead of Bledisloe I appeared to pay off at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

The result meant little on this occasion, as Cheika’s Wallabies smashed an Australian Super Rugby selection side 57-12 in front of a healthy crowd of 9373.

But Cheika will be hoping that the 80 minute hitout is the tonic needed for the Wallabies to compete with the All Blacks in their opening Bledisloe Cup fixture on August 18 after being blown off the park by the Kiwis in the first halves in the last two years.

Here’s five things we learnt from the Wallabies’ trial match.

Let’s be honest, the match was more of an opportunity for a hitout than a proper trial given the strength of the opposition.

But for some of those Wallabies on the fringes of selection, it was an opportunity to impress and one man that certainly did was Brumbies fullback Tom Banks.

After being selected in Cheika’s Wallabies squad for the June series, he’s locked up a spot for the Rugby Championship.

But could he have played his way into the 23 to face the All Blacks?

If, as expected, utility back Reece Hodge starts at outside centre following the injuries to Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani, Cheika will be looking for at least one new back to bring onto his bench.

Returning playmaker Matt Toomua would be a chance to wear the No 23 jersey, but if Cheika was to opt for an outside back replacement or three backs on the bench then Banks is in line for a Test debut

Banks scored Australia’s second try after a spectacular pirouette close to the opposition line.

But it was the two tries he saved that will be etched in Cheika’s memory.

The first came in the 35th minute, as Banks sprinted down Moses Sorovi, no slouch himself, after the Reds halfback pounced on a chargedown and look destined to score before being bundled into touch just short of the tryline.

His next trysaver was just as good, as Banks hunted down two Test flanker Richard Hardwick on the same patch of grass.

For a gold coin donation, of course it was for the happy punters.

But on the playing front, Cheika will be both pleased and relieved.

Pleased that his key forwards — David Pocock, Adam Coleman and Rory Arnold — had a run to keep their match fitness up and the men on the fringes of the team will be encouraged by their performances.

And relieved that there were no major injuries.

Loosehead prop Scott Sio left the field early with a shoulder issue, but the decision to pull him was more precautionary than anything serious.

MATT WHO?
Was he there or wasn’t he?

On Wednesday it was announced that experienced Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua had re-signed with the Rebels and Rugby Australia on a two-and-a-half-year deal which kicks in mid-2019.

But given that World Rugby’s international window does not open until August 12, it was thought that Toomua wasn’t allowed to train or play with the Wallabies.

Then, just before kickof, he was a surprise callup to start at No 10 for Cheika’s Wallabies.

The 28-year-old fitted in seamlessly to the Wallabies side.

Toomua controlled the match during his 53 minute stint and provided quick and reliable service for his men.

He made one break midway through the first half, cutting back on his right foot to break the line but couldn’t find his men outside him with a pass to his left.

Yet, post match Toomua wasn’t allowed to talk to the media.

Even Cheika was cagey about Toomua’s situation given he remains contracted to English Premiership club Leicester.

Regardless, the hitout was just what the doctor ordered for Toomua, who hasn’t played since May.

AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES
There might be a shortage of playmakers across the country, but the same can’t be said about the depth at flanker.

While Eddie Jones is still scratching around for an openside flanker in England, Cheika has onballers coming out of his ears.

In Michael Hooper and David Pocock, the Wallabies have two of the best No 7s in the world.

With the duo not about to go anywhere, it’s why former Reds flanker Liam Gill has been playing in France for the last two years.

On Friday, Rebels flanker Richard Hardwick — who endured a tough first year in Melbourne after a breakout season with the Force in 2017 — was one of the best on the field.

He carried well, scored a try and almost had a second.

But it was his work over the ball that stood out.

He’s still unlikely, however, to force a way back into Cheika’s 34-man Rugby Championship squad named on Sunday.

ANOTHER TICK FOR SUBURBIA
Once again, the decision to take a high profile rugby match to a suburban ground paid off.

Back in May the Waratahs were forced to take a Super Rugby match against the Blues to Brookvale Oval and the game was deemed a major success.

The same could be said about Friday’s trial.

Nearly 10,000 people watched the match — for the price of a gold coin donation.

That’s 3000 more than the 6434 that watched the NRL fixture between the Bulldogs and Broncos.

If, however, a Super Rugby match was to be brought to Leichhardt Oval — as one should be — more would be needed to be done to improve the facilities, with some patrons complaining about the beer queue.