The 2024 loss to the USA felt like the win that got away for Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp - but she's backing her squad's improving standards and physicality to ensure a repeat won't happen again this weekend.
The Wallaroos will play their first match in Canberra since 2008 against the USA, and while much of the focus has been on superstar Ilona Maher being in town, Yapp has made it no secret about where she wants her team's focus to be.
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The Wallaroos went down 32-25 to the USA at this corresponding fixture in Melbourne last year, conceding a 12-point lead in the second half, a moment Yapp candidly admitted her side went "completely off script."
This has formed the basis for opting for a more experienced side this weekend, compared to the team that faced the Black Ferns last week.
"We went pretty much off script completely in that second half against the USA last year, but a lot's happened in 12 months and the girls are in a much better place," Yapp said to reporters.
"We know the USA has got a strong back row and we'll be able to keep the intensity of the game high with those players coming on.
"I think you can see from the selection, we've gone with a more experienced team. The back line is pretty tried and tested - the only change from some of the WXV is Charlotte [Caslick]."
The elephant in the room on Saturday will be the arrival of superstar Ilona Maher, but Yapp has maintained the Wallaroos will be focused on their own game - and also how to effectively bring their own Sevens superstar, Charlotte Caslick, more into the fold.
Caslick has been named on the wing again, despite calls from commentators and fans last week that she could be more effectively utilised if moved to fullback.
"Defensively, our big focus is on ourselves," Yapp admitted.
"There are a few areas from last week that we knew collectively we needed to improve on, that's been a big focus for us. We have one eye on what the USA are offering, but we need to get our own stuff right first.
"We're working with Charlotte a lot in terms of our understanding of the XVs game. It's not going to happen overnight.
"These transitions take time, she's working really hard on that.
"I thought defensively, she did well last week. She made some excellent reads coming in off the edges. Now it's just trying to work with her about getting her more opportunities on the ball, which is something we've been looking at with her."
While the Wallaroos have gone with a more experienced pack and flyhalf, Caitlyn Halse will return to fullback after overcoming a hamstring injury, with fellow Sevens star Tia Hinds set to be rested.
"I thought Tia and Tala [Faitala Moleka] did really well last week," said Yapp, when asked about the playmaker combinations.
"As the game went on, they settled more and more into the game and started to understand their roles. But Caitlyn is really on form at the moment.
"She's come back from injury really well. She's been training really well. Unfortunately, she was forced to miss last week's game, but she's come back fighting fit this week.
"It gives us another dimension to that back three."
The final change sees a new player take the field, with Ruby Anderson named to make her debut off the bench - and when it comes to the Wallaroos focusing on building growth and accountability since their WXV 2 triump, Yapp was full of praise for the young forward's maturity, believing she will make the most of her opportunity.
"Ruby came out and met us in South Africa, and as soon as she came in, you could see the maturity that she came in with, both as a player and person," Yapp added.
"[She] really impressed us. She's gone on to do well this season; each camp, each week, the areas that we've asked her to focus on, she has.
"She really took the opportunity this week and massively deserves the opportunity to take to the field on the weekend."
