Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu has challenged her squad to match the benchmark set by Australia's 2010 trailblazers - a podium finish at the Rugby World Cup.
The likes of future Olympic champions Shannon Parry, Sharni Williams and Nicole Beck all featured in Australia's best ever tournament, with John Manenti's side going on to defeat France 22-8 in the 2010 bronze medal match.
Watch the 2025 Rugby World Cup live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Speaking with rugby.com.au after the official 2025 Rugby World Cup launch in York, Palu paid tribute to the 2010 Wallaroos and shared her desire to emulate - and even exceed - their historic achievement.
"We've got to acknowledge our trailblazers who have paved the way ... they've set the benchmark and we've just got to get better than that," Palu said.
"You can see how far the women's game has come, both in actual performance, but then also with the support and sponsorship and those who actually want to get behind women's rugby in Australia.
"Players are starting to make a little bit more sacrifice in terms of taking time away from home, time away from work, so they can purely dedicate themselves to the game and to training.
"Being able to be together with back-to-back camps, multiple international test matches, more than we've had in previous years, that's going to allow us to elevate our game.
"We need to make sure that we raise that standard and make sure we beat it."
Palu is racing the clock to be fit for Australia's pool fixtures after injuring her foot against New Zealand but told rugby.com.au her return to play was on schedule for their second pool clash (August 30).
"We're doing quite well. We are tracking and we're still building on it, so if we continue the way that we are at this pace, we're looking to be back for the USA game," she said.
"But again, you know, things and plans can change just depending on how we pull up, but the USA game is the mark and we are on track for it."
With Palu set to miss this Saturday's opener against Samoa, Emily Chancellor is the frontrunner to continue as interim Wallaroos captain while the likes of former skipper Michaela Leonard and Piper Duck could also take the armband.
