David Warner heralded the start of a new era in Australian cricket by answering his coach's call as Usman Khawaja also cashed in, leaving New Zealand on its knees.
The Black Caps arrived with eyes on their first series victory on these shores in 30 years only to be reminded on day one how hard it will be to breach Australia's Gabba fortress. If series are defined by their first day, then the Kiwis are stuffed. Thanks to Warner's agenda-setting 163 and Khawaja's maiden Test ton, Australia reaped their most profitable day one at the Gabba, their 2-389 surpassing on Friday the previous mark of 2-364 in the 2002-03 Ashes.
Australia's capitulations in England were a distant memory as their new-look top order batted with the poise of seasoned veterans rather than Test greenhorns. Their success vindicated the national selectors. That Joe Burns and Khawaja were on their home track played a part in settling their nerves, but the Warner factor should not be underestimated. He has struck more attractive centuries, but this performance was significant for other reasons and all the more impressive given his recent injury problem. 
Coach Darren Lehmann had asked his leaders to shepherd the newcomers through. Warner did that and more.
For the third season in a row, Warner reached triple figures in the opening Test of the summer, dispelling fears a rebuilding Australia would be vulnerable first up against a high-class pace attack.
This was the vice-captain's first ton in 10 months, his longest Test innings for balls faced, but more importantly an innings made with the authority of a man holding such a lofty post.
Warner's 13th Test century, in his 44th game, places him in illustrious company. It equals Greg Chappell and Javed Miandad at the corresponding stage of their careers and has him ahead of modern greats Sachin Tendulkar (10), Rahul Dravid (nine) and Ricky Ponting (seven).
And Warner, wearing a black armband in honour of an uncle who passed away recently, celebrated it with his usual gusto, leaping joyfully and looking to the heavens.
It took a one-handed screamer by Ross Taylor at first slip to end Warner's 5Â¼-hour innings.
The Australians had promised to blunt the new-ball potency of Tim Southee and Trent Boult so they could launch into Doug Bracewell and Mark Craig, and delivered to the letter. Warner and Burns put on 161, the fourth highest by an Australian opening pair against the Kiwis. There were some hairy moments for Warner. He was floored on seven by a yorker from Boult and Bracewell made him edge one on 69.
Although the Gabba pitch lacked the fire of previous years, Warner treated Boult and Southee with the utmost respect. It took him 20 balls to hit the first of his 21 boundaries and it was not until the end of the pace duo's opening spells that he warmed up.
His acceleration was timely as it coincided with a difficult period for Burns, coming to grips with the move up to Test cricket. Feeling the pressure, the first-time Test opener chased a risky single when on four and would have been run out had Brendon McCullum's throw at the stumps not narrowly missed.
The introduction of Bracewell and spinner Craig coincided with Burns's increased fluency. Burns passed 50 shortly after lunch, the third of his three consecutive Test half-centuries, but a maiden ton went begging when Southee found his outside edge.
Khawaja batted with the most conviction he has at Test level, the ease with which he played Craig's spin a stark contrast to how he played slow bowling in previous appearances.