In a Pacific Four Series focused on 'growth', Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp expects the side's improving standards and physicality to shine through against Canada.
Yapp has opted for a 6-2 bench and will welcome back several key players, including Biola Dawa and Adiana Talakai for their first appearances of the year.
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However, the Wallaroos coach was under no illusion of the set piece threat posed by the world number two ranked side, and has challenged the Wallaroos to take the fight directly to the current Pacific Four champions.
"Canada is very physically dominant; they want to win those physical battles," Yapp said to reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
"We know that the forward pack is a big strength of theirs. We're at the end of a long four and a half weeks, trying to keep fresh legs on the field, in the pack, is important for us to do that for 80 minutes."
The Wallaroos have plenty of fresh options available, with Martha Fua, fresh off a week's rest, coming back into the starting side alongside Katalina Amosa, while Talakai will make her first start from the bench.
"I think Kat's had an excellent few games for us," Yapp said of the young hooker.
"She's grown with every game we've seen her play. Martha's learning all the time as well, and credit to them that they're in this position to be starting.
"It's awesome to have Adi back.
“She left the squad earlier in our campaign for personal reasons. So, to have her back in the squad, everyone's really excited to see her return.
"Adi brings real physicality to training. I think a lot of the girls recognise that when she's partnering up with them.
"She's had a tough few weeks, and to see her take to the field is really important."
The talking point is the move of star Charlotte Caslick to the centres, and Yapp is excited to see the Sevens expand her experience in the XV's game, with Dawa now filling in on the right wing.
The 6-2 bench will mean that Tia Hinds will also have to cover both halves positions on the bench, but Yapp confirmed Hinds has prepared for both as part of their preparations, and backs the star to fill in well as a utility option.
"Charlotte ended up playing on the wing for us and [we] never necessarily saw her there long term," Yapp clarified.
"For us, it was very important for her to just be on the field, be learning and understanding the game in XVs.
"We've been looking at opportunities to move her closer in - 12 is somewhere we'd like to see her play."
Despite the growth of the Wallaroos since the WXV2 title last year, Canada represents one of the toughest opponents Jo Yapp's side will come across, with the Wallaroos having never tasted victory over their northern hemisphere counterparts in their previous six clashes.
This match could also hold more significance than the Pacific Four Series, as both teams could likely cross paths later this year at the World Cup, should the Wallaroos make the quarterfinals.
However, while breaking that duck would be a massive boost for the side, Yapp was candid about where their main focus was.
"No, if I'm honest," Yapp said when asked if she'd discussed the record against Canada.
"As a coaching group, we like to focus on ourselves and what we can do better, and how we can develop and improve. That's always been a big thing for us, as opposed to things that are slightly external.
"Of course, it would be nice to get a result, but at the moment, where we are, it's just about making sure we're developing."
With the World Cup exactly three months away, Yapp, however, is confident that the growth shown by the team - and critically, the emerging depth - will translate to even better results in the long run.
"The depth that we're now starting to create - even with the injuries we've had, we've got a lot of players currently out, but we're hoping we'll be back for the World Cup.
"Players like Maya [Stewart], BB [Bienne Terita], these sorts of players that are going to come in and bring even more competition for places. That's exciting because we need depth.
"We need to have depth in a tournament that's pretty intense."
