Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp is eyeing WXV success as they prepare for an extended Spring Tour.
Yapp confirmed her squad for WXV 2 beginning at the end of the month, with backrower Piper Duck the most notable absence after undergoing surgery for a syndesmosis injury.
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“Piper was hitting some really good form and playing well so it’s tough. She’s had the op and we’ll look to get her back for preseason," she told the media.
“We’re always looking to develop depth within the squad so this does give opportunity to other players like Leilani (Nathan) and ‘Boo’ (Tabua Tuinakauvadra) who have been performing really well.”
The Australians will enter the second edition of the WXV as one of the teams to beat after a third-place finish in last year's WXV 1 competition.
Yapp's focus remains on continual growth leading into next year's World Cup but admits the goal to take out the title is still at the forefront.
“We’re going to WXV 2 and we want to win," Yapp said.
“We need to keep making sure we’re developing the players within the system and keep getting better as a side.
“We went to try and get some of those wins across the line and that’s massively important for us but there’s also loads of ways we’re measuring ourselves on and off the field to make sure we’re making progress.”
Before this, the Australians will make a pre-WXV trip to Europe to face Ireland and Wales.
Only Trilleen Pomare remains from the last time the Wallaroos faced Ireland at the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Belfast.
With Ireland booking their spot in WXV 1, Yapp believes the match will be a good indication of where they stand before back-to-back matches against the Welsh, including their WXV 2 opener on September 28.
“Ireland under Scott Bemand have stepped up for the last couple of the years and whilst they had a shaky period for a while, you can see as a union they’re starting to invest in them and they’re getting more time with the players and have done really well,' she added.
“They’ve got themselves up into WXV 1 now so we’re excited to see where we’re at against a team like Ireland.
“Wales have always been real tight games so it’s going to be interesting playing Wales in Wales.”
