The other issue on the international front is that most airlines now are well into the A350 phase of operation. By the time QF gets theirs, the next new Airbus will be out and the local competition will be operating that. Whatever financial edge QF hoped to gain by delaying renewal is being blown out of the water by competition having a % advantage in operating costs. Another sad fact that accountants make very poor airline bosses in the long run... cost cutting only works so far, then the cuts cost you more than if you kept up with the competition.
I mean seriously, Fiji Airways is operating brand new A350 and 737 Max right now...