Kevin Walters is a bit fed up of hearing from pundits back home that his Kangaroos' three-Test Ashes sweep was just a piece of cake, a facile exercise conducted against sub-standard, plodding English opposition.
So after his world champions had wrapped up their unbeaten tour with a 30-8 triumph in an intense final clash at the passionate English rugby league citadel of Headingley on Saturday, the coach felt it was time for an emphatic riposte.
Putting a very different spin on the whitewash over the best players in Super League, he said: "Some of the Australian press have been saying 'it's like a walk in the park'. Well, come over and walk in the park against the English, and see how you go ... These were tough matches."
"There's been some chat back home about this English side - they're this and they're that - but if you talk to our players, they've got nothing but respect for them and the way they play their football," added Walters.
"It's a different style of game here, and it's great that our boys can experience that now.
"Because for 20-odd years, the Ashes haven't been played, and now these series need to continue on a regular basis for both countries to get better and develop better as rugby league-playing nations."
It's true that player after player in the Australia team had glowing words for the intensity, ferocity and determination of their opposition, who had about the same amount of possession, enjoyed a better completion rate and concerted spells when the Kangaroos' defence was just clinging on under massive pressure.
Ultimately, though, perhaps the key difference lay in the quality of the respective defences.
Australia, who fell off 13 fewer tackles than the hosts, had an almost impregnable last-line.
Giving up just two tries throughout the three-match series said it all.
"Defence has been a big part of our last couple of seasons. We got beaten 30-nil against New Zealand a couple of years ago in the Pac champs, and since then, it's something we've really prided ourselves on," said skipper Isaah Yeo.
"In a three-game series, they've thrown their absolute best at us. But you could see we're so ready for this.
"It wasn't perfect by us, but I'm just really proud of the group. I thought everyone defended really well, and we had to do that for long periods. The 30-8 doesn't reflect how hard it was and how well they played."
The other difference was the lack of imagination in the English attack, with the home crown venting their frustration on home coach Shaun Wane, who was told in an unsympathetic chorus, 'sacked in the morning, you're getting sacked in the morning'.
But Walters jumped to the defence of his beleaguered counterpart.
"I've certainly been surprised by the criticism Shaun has received ... that was great Test football." he said.
