The Wallaroos have arrived in Canberra for their second Pacific Four clash against the USA - and Michaela Leonard has revealed the squad is in a good space despite the loss to the Black Ferns in Newcastle.
The match on Saturday - forming part of a double header with the Brumbies-Reds derby - will mark the first time the Wallaroos have played in the national capital since 2008, with the squad having an honest review yesterday about where the side sits after New Zealand.
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"It definitely does [feel like the gap is closing]," Leonard said to reporters.
"I think you felt it the moment the game finished. That scoreline was half of what it was in previous years.
"There was still a big feeling of disappointment through the group because we know that we could have done better than what we did on that day, we did leave points out there. I think that's a really exciting place to be.
"Review yesterday was overall positive, we did highlight a few areas where simple changes can change the outcome of the game.
"The learnings over the last 12 months have been huge, and I think we saw that on the weekend with that scoreline, and I don't think the overall score reflected the game itself."
While the 38-12 scoreline did see the Black Ferns still win convincingly, Leonard revealed that all other numbers pointed to improvement under coach Jo Yapp.
"In terms of physical contest, there was a step up over the weekend. I think physicality starts at the front line," Leonard admitted.
"Some of the areas that we could have shored up are that defense around the ruck, and making sure that we're setting ourselves in the positions we need to be in early. We know that New Zealand likes to take those little sniping opportunities around the ruck.
"In terms of physicality, gain line percentages, our tackle completion was quite high compared to what it has been previously. The difference in the scoreline shows that, despite the fact that there's still room for improvement."
A big reason for the improvement, Leonard revealed, has come down to a massive shift in the team culture over Yapp's tenure, with the return of Wallaroo veterans and an injection of professional Sevens stars working wonders.
"The culture in this group at the moment is incredible," Leonard smiled.
"Faces coming in, faces coming out. Having the experience of people like Emily Chancellor come back in, the experience of Charlotte Caslick coming in has been incredible for the group as a whole.
"Everyone's embraced the new faces coming in as well, and we know how much we can learn and gain from having those girls as part of the program too.
"We know how much each individual contributes, and that it takes all of us to get the results that we want out there on the field."
However, the Wallaroos, despite their growth, are set to have one of their most critical clashes of the year this weekend, with the USA also a side on the up under former Wallaroos assistant coach Sione Fukofuka.
After defeating Australia 32-25 in the Pacific Four Series last year, the Women's Eagles qualified for WXV 1 - and while recent wins have been tougher to come by, the improvement of the side has been noted - with close losses to Six Nations runner's up France, WXV 1 and current Pacific Four champions Canada and rapidly rising stars Ireland.
The USA will come into the match following a 26-14 loss to Canada in Kansas City - which included the long-awaited return of superstar Ilona Maher following her debut in XVs in 2021.
The two sides are set to battle it out in Pool A at the World Cup later this year, with their match-up looming as a critical fixture as to who will make the quarter-finals.
It makes this first hit-out between the two sides in Canberra this weekend even more critical.
"We're expecting a tough game," Leonard said candidly.
"We saw through Pac4 last year the growth that they've had in their program over the last few years. We definitely didn't do as well as we wanted to, to execute and secure that game in the second half last year.
"We're expecting another physical, close match this year.
"We're expecting them to be quite strong through the middle and through the forwards, with quite a big pack. Our focus predominantly is on us this week, on what we can do to improve on last week's result, and our execution to get the win.
"We've put the past behind us and focused on how we're developing and growing as a group.
"I think there has been some positivity and momentum off the back of WXV last year, showing us really that if we're sticking to our processes, backing the coaches in what they're putting out there, backing our abilities and our skills, that we can pull some really, really good footy together."
Despite the fact that all praise will be off once both sides take the field, Leonard admitted that Ilona Maher coming over to XVs will be an exciting opportunity for the sport at large - but that it is also an opportunity for the Wallaroos to challenge themselves.
"Having Ilona in town is also really special for rugby and the women's rugby space in general," Leonard said of the US outside centre.
"She's done incredible work breaking barriers and breaking stereotypes of what it means to be a female athlete, what it means to be strong and powerful, but intelligent as well and maintain that feminine side.
"I think she's an incredible example for young girls, young boys, men, women all across the world in how we view people and how we can change perceptions.
"An opportunity to see someone like that and, I guess, feel the presence that she has as well, is really exciting.
"To see the Wallaroos and how well we do against them and shut that down on the field too will be an awesome opportunity.
"So definitely get there and get around it."
