NSW Waratahs winger Maya Stewart will make a remarkable Wallaroos debut in Saturday's Rugby World Cup clash with Scotland after recovering from a torn ACL.
Stewart only resumed training in July after suffering the serious knee injury last pre-season and undergoing surgery in December.
The 22-year-old from Nelson Bay replaces Ivania Wong in the line-up for Australia's second Pool A fixture in Whangarei.
"The team is incredibly excited to welcome Maya Stewart for her debut this weekend," Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning said on Thursday.
"Her journey has been remarkable - coming back from an ACL injury is never easy, but Stewart has done it with a smile on her face the whole way through."
Tregonning also added tighthead prop Eva Karpani to his starting side in place of Bridie O'Gorman, who moves to the reserves, while Liz Patu and Adiana Talakai remain the other starting front-rowers.
Locks Sera Naiqama and Atasi Lafai complete an unchanged second row, while flankers Emily Chancellor and captain Shannon Parry will resume their usual positions in the forward pack.
Stalwart Grace Hamilton maintains her place at No.8, supported by veteran scrum-half Iliseva Batibasaga and fly-half Arabella McKenzie.
Centres Georgina Friedrichs and Sharni Williams will lend experience and speed to the Australian side, while Lori Cramer returns to the starting XV at fullback, with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale reverting to the bench.
Exciting teenager Bienne Terita will join Stewart on the wings after her spectacular double in Australia's tournament-opening 41-17 loss to defending World Cup champions New Zealand.
Terita's brace earned the Wallaroos an early 17-0 lead against the Black Ferns and the Sevens star has now scored four tries in her first two matches for the Wallaroos.
"Even though the game at Eden Park didn't go our way last weekend, it was an invaluable experience for the team," said Parry.
"Everyone is on the same page for this weekend, we're all reaching for the same goal and our training has reflected that.
"There's been a shift in our intensity and the team is raring to compete against Scotland."
Wallaroos: Lori Cramer, Bienne Terita, Georgina Friedrichs, Sharni Williams, Maya Stewart, Arabella McKenzie, Iliseva Batibasaga, Grace Hamilton, Shannon Parry (capt), Emily Chancellor, Atasi Lafai, Sera Naiqama, Eva Karpani, Adiana Talakai, Liz Patu. Res: Ashley Marsters, Emily Robinson, Bridie O'Gorman, Grace Kemp, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.
