A maiden win over the USA on home soil might be a season highlight for the Wallaroos, but Faitala Moleka admits her side have a lot more growing to do ahead of the World Cup.
Moleka spent much of her young rugby career in Canberra playing for the Brumbies, and the opportunity to play on a field she knows well helped free her up against the Eagles.
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With so many players, friends and family around her, it was very easy for the young flyhalf to play her natural style.
"Playing at home just gave another boost of confidence in me to just play my own game," Moleka told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
"They've [the Brumbies] helped me in terms of my growth on the field and off the field as well. Not many people see the off-field side of things, but I've got such a strong and healthy social group here.
"Having the people that have been helping me in Super [Rugby Women's] as well, just having them be there at the game, it's a way of me showing my appreciation to them of how much they've helped me, them seeing me successful.
"I hope that it's kind of a gift for me to them."
It was not just Moleka who stood out on Saturday, with Charlotte Caslick also bagging her first try in Wallaroo gold and Ashley Marsters also impressing with two tries of her own.
With Jo Yapp focusing on a mantra on growth and accountability, the result was a far cry from the 2024 corresponding fixture - and for Moleka, confidence is building off the back of the results.
"On the weekend, we could see that, not just in myself individually, but as a team.... we were really confident in what we were doing," Moleka added.
"We've been feeling that since last year, after WXV2. It's more like trying to stay consistent now.
"But definitely, something is brewing. There's so much more potential in the team than what was shown on the weekend.
"That's the more exciting thing."
The 27-19 win marked only their third victory over the USA since the two sides first met in 1997, but it might be one of the most significant in the context of the Wallaroos' season - with the two sides set for a rematch in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup come August.
It was a particularly encouraging performance from a kicking game perspective, with the timely return of Caitlyn Halse giving the side a particularly effective weapon in the back three.
"We've played together throughout our juniors - we grew up together knowing how each other plays, so being able to show that on an international stage also helps me with my confidence," Moleka said of her fullback.
"I feel like it goes both ways."
Confidence seems to be a major part of Jo Yapp's focus in 2025 - and Moleka's growing confidence at flyhalf since breaking out in the WXV2 competition has come with a growth in the wider squad.
"It's based around confidence," Moleka added.
"She [Yapp] chose us for a reason, and there are certain aspects that we give differently on the field.
With me and Kid [Caitlyn], we're more on the skillful side, whereas Desi Miller, she's just a workhorse, same as Fred [Georgina Frederichs].
"It's just being able to really back ourselves in what we're good at, and I feel like last week was a really good platform where we showed what we could do when we're confident. I had a great time."
The Wallaroos will remain in the national capital until Wednesday, before they fly to Brisbane for their final match of the Pacific Four Series against current defending champions, Canada.
The Wallaroos have not defeated Canada before in the previous six clashes between the two sides - but have come close on several occasions.
The Canadians will be hoping for back-to-back titles - prevailing 33-14 in the last clash between the two sides in 2024. They will also be fresh off a 27-all draw with the Black Ferns in Christchurch over the weekend.
However, Moleka believes the Wallaroos' current approach will yield an improved result, particularly in the forward pack.
"This game coming up will be more of a forwards-based kind of game," Moleka explained.
"We know Canada is really dominant in their forward packs and their line-outs.
"From a backline and game driver point of view, it's giving the forwards a great platform and area to play their game. We know they're a physical side, so I'm fronting up with them physically as well.
"I'm also looking forward to warmer weather."
