Australia had to fight back against Fiji in the Women's World Cup semi-final, giving the team a useful test before Sunday's final against New Zealand.
"The record-breaking games are probably not the best when you're prepping for finals footy, which is so different," Australia and Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton said.
"We've had the luxury of everything working out for us and that just doesn't happen when it comes to finals."
"So it was good to be under the pump."
Brisbane five-eighth Jesse Southwell will partner Tarryn Aiken after being selected ahead of Jocelyn Kelleher, who is named in the 21 jersey.
Kelleher started three of Australia's four Cup games and was player of the match in her Test debut, a 40-0 win over Samoa.
Southwell scored 44 points in Australia's record 124-6 victory over Wales.
Kelleher can kick goals and built a strong connection with Aiken during the Roosters' NRLW title run.
Upton said she had played with both halves and was excited to see them combine.
"Tarryn and Jesse haven't played too much footy together, but I've been fortunate to play a lot with the both of them and watching them both link up is going to be pretty special,"
Upton said Southwell's ability to open space for teammates was her most valuable quality.
"The best thing about Jesse, and this goes unnoticed and without stats, is how much space she creates for the people outside of her."
"I've been fortunate enough to have that pretty much my whole career, and I'm excited for her to do that for Taryn and make her job a little bit easier."
"She's young, she's energetic, she's enthusiastic, she wants the ball and she wants to be a part of the game."