"Even when you're out there, you expect a tough battle. It's going to be a close game, when it comes down to those dying moments in the game, you just have mentally pick yourself up and back yourself physically."
A punishing Wallabies fitness regimen devised by coach Michael Cheika is the key towards developing the mental toughness required for the challenge on August 19 at ANZ Stadium.
"I only came in the last two sessions and I felt I was there the whole week. For me, physically, it was a good test for me mentally," said Alaalatoa, who along with Brumbies squad members arrived late to camp after featuring in the Super Rugby quarter-finals.
"When you come down to those moments and you think the training session's over, but you've got another fitness drill, it's just all about pushing yourself mentally and trying to be comfortable in an uncomfortable environment.
"You're going to hit some barriers there mentally and you probably think that you can't go any further, but it's up to you whether you want to push that extra distance.
"That's why I feel I learnt more about myself, and I really came out stronger out of those training sessions and I learnt a lot.
"It was a good test for me, mentally. I haven't been pushed that far, mentally."