There was a late dip, a look at the trapdoor under the executioner's noose for Robbie Deans, but for most of the Lions series he was the same stoic bloke we have watched coach for the last 17 years.
While his Wallaby side went through their usual parabolic form graph, Deans ploughed on. He had a job to do.
Deans bounced in bright and bushy to Brisbane from the Wallabies' training camp as he eagerly pushed the merits of his new-look side and their hopes for a strong series against the Lions.
Even after a spluttering start including a less than virtuoso performance from first five James O'Connor, there was no flinch from Deans, no sign he was in any doubt about his side or their chances.
They had their chances and not quite nailed them. Only two changes came in Melbourne with the injured Digby Ioane and Berrick Barnes gone.