The compact hooker was a solid performer in the 38-7 loss to the All Blacks in Melbourne at the weekend.
Some form of redemption in the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon will go a long way to easing fears the Wallabies have fallen well off the pace.
Porecki’s pathway to the gold jersey started with the Waratahs, but unusually wound through stints in England with Saracens and London Irish before returning to Sydney, and he made his test debut aged 29 in Perth last year.
It has been a poor start to the year by the Wallabies, but Porecki said confidence was not an issue and he felt the opening quarter against the All Blacks showed signs of promise.
"Right now it’s a pretty tight ship. I think our performance at the weekend, while we are frustrated with the result, we are building in the right direction and there are elements of our game that we are happy with.
"Against a team like the All Blacks, you need to stay in it for 80 minutes.
"So for us, this week, that’s our main focus. Turn that first 30 minutes into a longer period of play. We’ve shown what we are capable of as a team and it’s exciting for us."
The Wallabies, outwardly at least, appear a united bunch under veteran coach Eddie Jones.
Porecki said there was no option but to stay tight to battle through a difficult patch with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon.
"I think the theme has been around connections, mate.
"This group has been together now for two or three years, so it’s pretty strong already, but there’s always ways we can build on that.
"Eddie has been quite strong on that. He knows the nucleus of the team is the players, and the players need to run the show — not literally, but if we are strong and connected on and off the field, the performance will show that."
Jones had been impressive in his second stint with the Wallabies, Porecki said.
The wily coach was a "fantastic operator" who could think outside the square.
"He definitely challenges your way of thinking, in a positive way.
"I’ve been in different teams and I thought I knew how a programme was meant to be run, and how things during the week were meant to be done, but he opens your eyes to different possibilities.
"It’s interesting, and I see it as a positive. He’s a learner, you know. He always wants to learn and continue to progress."
Porecki, if he keeps the No2 jersey ahead of Jordan Uelese, will butt heads with one of the All Blacks’ three hookers at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Codie Taylor has started the season strongly and Dane Coles is the niggly old bull with all the tricks, but it will be a surprise if the outstanding Samisoni Taukei’aho does not run out in Dunedin.
"All three are world-class hookers, and they can just pick and choose their hooker based on how they want to play a game," Porecki said.
"They’re just quality players and they all offer different things in the game."
An issue for the Wallabies is how they address the loss, through serious injury, of stand-in captain and star prop Allan Alaalatoa.
Porecki said his front-row mate would be sorely missed.
"What spectators see in Al is that he’s an abrasive player, and he’s a leader on the field, but they don’t see what’s off the field.
"He is the binding figure within our group, I believe.
"He’s one of the great men within us that drives everyone to be better, so obviously it’s a huge loss, and it was gutting being out there with him when he got injured.
"But he’ll come back bigger and better, and he’s already helping us and the leadership group."
Porecki was in no mood to bite when it was pointed out one betting agency had the All Blacks at the humiliatingly low odds of $1.01 to beat the Wallabies on Saturday night.
"Respectfully, I don’t know if that means much to us, to be honest.
"We’re looking to build this week. And I’m not a betting man."
