The Wallaroos are desperate to make a statement on their world standing when they take on Ireland in Belfast this weekend in their first rugby clash in seven years.
The Australian women endured a disappointing Pacific Four series this year, their winless campaign relegating them to the second-tier WXV 2 tournament, despite being ranked fifth in the world.
Ireland, ranked 10th, surprised to lock in a spot in the WXV 1 after finishing third in the Six Nations.
The last time the countries met was at the 2017 World Cup, with Ireland two-point winners in a pool match in Dublin.
Back-rower Siokapesi Palu will captain the Wallaroos as coach Jo Yapp looks to get more leadership experience into the side.
Palu, who is the Brumbies skipper, said she was surprised to be given the honour at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday night (8.30am Sunday AEST).
Usual captain Michael Leonard will still start at lock.
"Jo said she's been impressed with my leadership on and off the field this season and wanted to give me the opportunity, which comes off the back of wanting to develop a bit of growth within our leadership group," Palu said.
"There's things that I like to do differently - I like to lead by example, and I'm a girl of few words when we come into huddles, so I will be trying to lead from the front."
She said the team wanted to prove they deserved to be among the top six sides, as they were in 2023.
"We know that we're capable of being in that position and so that's our fuel, to make sure we go into this game firing and try to make a statement that we do believe that we should be in WXV 1," Palu said.
"We believe that we have the potential to be among those teams, but it's about putting actions to our words.
"We've had camps the last two weeks and have seen such great progression among the girls and the team overall, and we're hoping that we make a statement this week."
Following the match the Wallaroos will travel to Cardiff on Sunday to face Wales in another one-off Test at Newport Parade on September 21.
They then tackle Wales, South Africa and Scotland in the WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town.
