Bitterly disappointed after opening their tour with a loss to Ireland, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has made four changes for their rugby Test against Wales.
The Australians will take on the Welsh in the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa, which gets underway later this month and are eager to strike an early blow.
Squaring off at Rodney Parade in Newport on Saturday (0400 AEST), teen sensation Caitlyn Halse, who celebrates her 18th birthday on Wednesday, has been named to start at fullback for the third time in her career.
Halse became the youngest Test debutant in Wallaroos or Wallabies history in May when the NSW Waratahs rising star played in the Pacific Four series at age 17.
Her selection relegates veteran Lori Cramer to the bench following the side's 36-10 loss to Ireland in Belfast.
In a boost for the team, hooker Tania Naden will return following finger surgery, with the versatile Ash Marsters returning to flanker.
Layne Morgan has replaced Natalie Wright as the starting halfback.
Five-eighth Trilleen Pomare and Atasi Lafai are also back in the 23 while fellow lock Michaela Leonard regains the captaincy.
Due to play Wales in the opening round of WXV 2 on September 28, Yapp said they wanted to head to Cape Town with a win under their belts.
“We were really disappointed with last week’s performance against Ireland and have an opportunity against Wales to improve in key areas of our game," Yapp said.
“We will play Wales again in round one of WXV 2 so the opportunity to play them a week earlier can give us a good gauge in where both teams are at leading into the tournament.
“Tania, Caitlyn, Trilleen and Atasi have all been training well and come back into the side.
“As a team we know what we’re capable of we just need to transfer that into Friday night in Newport.”
The Wallaroos have played Wales on six occasions since 2002 for six victories.
Wallaroos: Bridie O'Gorman, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani , Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (c), Siokapesi Palu, Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse. Res: Tiarna Molloy, Alapeta Ngauamo, Lydia Kavoa, Atasi Lafai, Lucy Dinnen, Natalie Wright, Arabella McKenzie, Lori Cramer.
