A frank Damien Cook fears he let the Australian jersey down after his dream Test debut resulted in a shock upset defeat at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday night.
Handed the impossible task of filling in Cameron Smith's shoes, Cook experience mixed results in his first game in an Australian jumper, going to work defensively although having limited touches with the ball in hand.
Among four debutants in a new-look Kangaroos side, the Rabbitohs hooker said the playing group didn't live up to the standards of the Australian jersey.
"From my point you almost feel like you've left the past players down," Cook said.
"Australia being so dominant for so long and to lose, it felt like we might have let them down a little bit.
"But we still played some good footy at times, showed some good character."
Expected to play the entire game, Cook was benched in the 62nd minute after making a whopping 55 tackles as the Kiwis kept the rake busy in defense, effectively limiting his attacking strengths in the process.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga revealed Cook's benching was aimed at giving him a much-needed break and by no means was based on his playing abilities.
A 75 per cent conversion rate proved to be the deciding factor for Australia, however they managed to make the most of their limited possession by putting an impressive 24 points on the board.
"It was always going to be a bit clunky at times," Cook said.
"But we didn't help ourselves by not holding the ball at times. We just need to be disciplined and give ourselves the best chance."
It was the Kangaroos' first game post-Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater era, but Cook is adamant their new spine combinations can emulate the success of their predecessors.
"I don't think the combinations were too bad," Cook said.
"It was more not holding the ball and not giving us a chance to score points. We left it a bit late. If we hold the ball and go set for set we have enough skill on our edges.
"It is the Australian team, we expect almost perfection.
"Moving forward to the Tongan game we've got to make sure we complete nice and high.
"That's what we'll learn. Just hold the ball, go set for set."