'Superpower' shift as Wallaroos absorb double blow

But the new Wallaroos skipper and No.6 hopes to bring one of her own in a side she reckons has switched to selfless, big-picture thinking ahead of the World Cup.

With Siokapesi Palu (foot) recovering from surgery, veteran ruck menace Chancellor will lead Australia for the first time, against Wales at Brisbane's Ballymore on Saturday.

Converted rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick (ankle) was also injured in the side's last outing in New Zealand, where she wore the No.13.

Both are hopeful of returning during the World Cup in late August.

With just two Tests - they meet Wales again in Sydney next weekend -  before their Cup opener against Samoa on August 23, coach Jo Yapp has also made unforced changes to her front row, second row and backline.

But with Georgina Friedrichs an obvious replacement in the centres and Chancellor teaming with Ashley Marsters in the back row, there is no panic.

"Yes, I'm playing No.6 but that's not my superpower, that's hers," Chancellor told AAP of Palu's ball-carrying prowess.

"It's going to rely on us to share that load.

"But you bring G-Fred back in ... she has one of the best workrates in the team, so we have that superpower back and we've suddenly got two players who can get over the ball in myself and Ash.

"There's no-one brought in that you wonder if they can step up."

Chancellor, 33 and vice-captain this year, is a ready-made leader after winning Test player of the year in her rookie 2018 season, enjoying stints in the UK and Japan and then missing the 2024 season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

"I played against many of these (Welsh) girls," Chancellor said of her Premiership Women's Rugby stint with Harlequins.

"And injury teaches you a lot about yourself; it makes you reflect and you can get to that point where you ask, 'Why am I doing this?'.

"And that never crossed my mind. I've come back into this squad with a lot more perspective and it increases your team-first mentality."

She's noticed that mindset elsewhere too as the women's program benefits from extra investment that includes the support of designated high performance manager Jaime Fernandez.

"She's pushing our case to Rugby Australia and we've now got some girls who are full-time," Chancellor said.

"Who have made the decision we're earning just about enough, never enough, but enough to survive and fully commit to this game."

Sevens stars Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry were the only squad members operating on a full-time capacity for the Wallaroos in their 2021 Cup campaign.

"The mental strength, willingness to dig deep and, to be honest, response to selections, shows a massive growth," Chancellor said of the differences since then.

"It shows it's not just about you getting picked or not, or wanting to play a certain position.

"It's understanding the role in a big squad. It's not personal."

In seven World Cups Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth.

Canada and New Zealand, who the Wallaroos challenged for 40 minutes before losing 37-12 a fortnight ago, remain the clear women's powerhouse sides.

But the Wallaroos lead Wales 7-1 in head-to-head battles and are among the next rung of challengers.

"The scoreboard matters and winning's important for the emotions," Chancellor said of the significance of Saturday's result. 

"But we're on the edge of a new way of playing and you regress to go forward again. We've been dabbling on the tipping point of playing nice, exciting, fast rugby."

WALLAROOS SQUAD TO FACE WALES:

Lydia Kavoa, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor (capt), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Waiaria Ellis, Caitlyn Halse. Bench: Tania Naden, Bree-Anna Browne, Eva Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Piper Duck, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer.

Australian Associated Press