The challenge of making the 2025 Rugby World Cup squad is a hard enough task on its own - but both Piper Duck and Caitlin Urwin know they need to put in a statement performance against Manusina to press their case to Jo Yapp for selection.
Both players have made the starting side for Australia A this weekend in Canberra - and both will be knocking on the door on competitive positions in the starting Wallaroos squad.
Catch Australia A Women face Samoa live on Rugby.com.au on June 28.
For Duck, it has been a long journey back to the pitch, having overcome a horror run of injuries that has seen her only play a handful of matches in the last 12 months - with the loose forwards only becoming more competitive in her absence.
"I'm very excited to be back in the group," Duck admitted to Rugby.com.au.
"When I got invited to the last camp, I was working really hard. When I did my shoulder, my goal was to be available and put my hand up for this game against Samoa.
"I'm honestly stoked to be able to do that and be in the position I'm in now.
"I had really good communication from medical staff around my situation... just honestly caring for me, my mental state and my injury as well and figuring out the best timeline.
"Jo [Yapp] has been spectacular, been really clear around expectations of what needed to be done. I've been really grateful for how transparent they've been and how, yeah, they've really supported me through it."
Duck has always been one to keep herself honest - and candidly admitted that the mental hurdles were just as hard as the physical ones, especially with the World Cup timeline hanging in the background.
"It's been a massive mental toll," Duck admitted when asked about her injury run.
"It's just been getting my body right, getting my head right, working really hard with the Waratahs directly.
"I think the hardest thing for me is that I'm my biggest critic. When I'm doing trainings, I'm expecting myself to be where I was at, but it's a level of being able to be kind to myself - and understanding that things will come.
"I'm starting to feel really comfortable within my footy again within the group."
It'll be even better for Duck that her family will also be able to attend the match at Viking Park - with her family coming out from the Riverina to watch.
"They're actually stoked," Duck said.
"My family, my biggest supporters, they are there by my side all the time.
"When I get injured, my mum will drop everything and she drives all the way to Sydney. They make it work. They ride this emotional roller coaster with me.
"They're definitely going to be there. The whole family's coming."
Duck admits that returning to full contact did come with expected trepidation; however, the attitude of players in the camp has proven infectious, and has seen her confidence grow.
With the Wallaroos also set to face Manusina in their opening pool match in Manchester in two months time, the side knows to be wary of the island nation - especially after their last gasp 20-17 win in this corresponding fixture in 2024.
"It was very clear from the start, like, this is going to be a tough camp," Duck added.
"We're here to grow. We're here to develop, here to learn, but also here to challenge each other as well.
"The attitude has been honestly exceptional. I think it's one of the best camps I've had personally, from what I've seen. The girls are holding themselves in really good stead for this game.
"Samoa are one of our main competitors at the World Cup. We know they're really strong, especially in their contact and how they run the ball.
"We're prepared to go out hard. We want to start fast. We're really excited to come up against them and we're really focusing on our defensive side of things, getting our bodies in front and focusing on those low chop tackles to hopefully mitigate their dominant carry."
One person who can definitely relate to the challenges Manusina brings is Queensland Red Caitlin Urwin - who started in the corresponding fixture last year in Apia.
"We definitely felt their physicality in the heat of Samoa," Urwin told Rugby.com.au.
"That probably got to us. The team we had out there as well was pretty young. We're excited to get out there with a few more experienced players."
While the Australia A looks markedly different to the Wallaroo team that faced Canada in their last fixture, it is not without more experience - with a full Wallaroo pack, two Sevens stars and several experienced options coming off the bench.
Urwin will also have the chance to work directly with her fellow Queensland Reds stars Piper Flynn and Lori Cramer in the back three.
"I got a lot more game time than I've ever had this year," Urwin said when asked about her form.
"To be able to put into practice what we do in training, I think it's been a great confidence booster. Having Lori and Piper out there, people we play with week in, week out.
"I always enjoy playing with Natty Wright. She's one of the besties. Always love a good link up with her."
While Urwin has hung around the Wallaroo squad for the entire 2025 season so far, the question of World Cup positions feels like an inevitable thought when considering how Yapp's squad will come together.
However, the young Queenslander - who has been given the nickname 'Steve' by her teammates in connection with her surname - is keeping her head grounded about prospects, only focusing on the game ahead.
"I'm just keen for this game on Saturday," Urwin said.
"I guess we can go from there and see what happens. It'd be amazing to be a part of that, the World Cup.
"But yeah, job to do first."
