The Wallaroos are refusing to buy into any expectations around a comfortable Samoa win as they remain on guard to start the tournament.
Coach Jo Yapp demonstrated the level of respect the Wallaroos are showing this game by naming a near full-strength squad for Saturday's opener in Salford.
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Only Siokapesi Palu is out due to injury, with the majority of the team backing up from their win over Wales at the start of the month at North Sydney Oval.
“For us and what we've said from the start, the cliche is one game at a time,” Yapp said.
“We’re really focusing on our processes and make sure our week stays the same in terms of having real key focuses around our various areas, attack, defence, line-out, scrum.
“We’re just being really clear with that with the players and focusing very much on us, which is the norm.”
The Australians are clear favourites against Samoa, with only Brazil ranked below Manusina out of the qualified sides.
However, Samoa’s win over Australia A in Apia last year showed their class, with a combination of Super Rugby Women’s, Penina Pasifika and New Zealand-based players selected for their first World Cup appearance since 2014.
“Samoa is a very physical side, they've got a few New Zealand-based players that are joining in for this World Cup, so they might have a few new players in there that we haven't come across yet,” co-captain Kaitlan Leaney said.
“They want to play fast, they had that offload game, just like New Zealand, we’re definitely going to have to front up in the physicality aspect.
“We’re looking to play fast and be really connected in both attack and defence.”
The Wallaroos will turn to 18-year-old Caitlyn Halse at fullback, adding the title of Australia’s youngest ever World Cup player to her growing list of accolades.
“She's had a lot of game time and you kind of forget her age because she's just been around the group for what feels like a long time now,” Yapp remarked.
“She's obviously grown with confidence and you can just see her really developing and her ability now to overcome mistakes when she makes them on the field.
“There's just been a real growth in her.”
