The Wallaroos' search for that first win over the Black Ferns continues this weekend, with head coach Jo Yapp excited the side continue to develop following a positive few weeks in camp.
The women in gold have been in camp in Wellington for the last week, unveiling their team that will take the field this weekend against the current world champions.
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Despite losing the O'Reilly Cup for another year, the side has a good opportunity to build on the improved performance in Newcastle - after several strong weeks in camp and a promising Australia A result against Manusina.
"The aim is to try and bridge that gap," Yapp said to reporters on Thursday.
"Obviously New Zealand have had a head start in terms of being in a professional program for a lot longer, but the prep we've had coming into this has definitely allowed us to be better prepared.
"We're just making sure that every time we play them, we're improving on our performance against them.
"We're excited to see, see how the girls step up on Saturday."
Yapp has stuck with established combinations in the set piece, but is still leaving room for tinkering across these three final Test matches, with the Rugby World Cup now looming large.
The big news comes in the form of a debut for 17-year-old Waiaria Ellis, in addition to a new shift for star Charlotte Caslick, who will move to outside centre alongside experienced campaigner Trilleen Pomare, with Georgina Fredrichs unavailable.
The side will also be bolstered by the return of Samantha Wood and Piper Duck from injury and Annabelle Codey after a strong Super Rugby Women's season - with all three set to make their impact off the bench.
The side has taken significant strides forward under Yapp - but the coach is hoping to continue that progression across the next three matches before the start of the World Cup.
"The turning point for us was WXV and, and having those back-to-back wins there and then coming off the back of that and getting the win against Fiji," Yapp said.
"That's four games on the bounce for us. We're just starting to get some momentum. We know that New Zealand is always a tough one and playing New Zealand and Canada was a opportunity of a benchmark for us again in the Pacific Four Series.
"We were always going to look at Charlotte as a 12-13 player to be able to cover across both. What this has done is allow us an opportunity to see Charlotte at 13.
"All of these games now is an opportunity for us to make sure we really nailed down our test weeks as well. What it looks like from Monday to Saturday and trying to replicate what we're going to be doing in the World Cup.
"It's a really important preparation block for us."
