A 70-metre breakaway try sealed Australia's place in a fifth consecutive World Cup final, capping Abbi Church's four-try performance.
Church, 28, usually plays fullback for Parramatta and NSW, but at international level she was behind Tamika Upton, a three-time Dally M medallist.
Rather than settle for a reserve role, Church reinvented herself as a winger.
"I played a little bit on the wing earlier in my career but it's probably been five or six years," she said.
She said the switch meant adjusting to different priorities, more defensive reads and closer connection with her centre.
A four-time capped Jillaroo, Church said wearing the green and gold was a goal she achieved last year, before setting her sights on the World Cup.
"You're just trying to look for any little gap that you can squeeze through," Church said.
With one match left in the tournament, she hopes to bring what she has learned back to Parramatta and help the club's outside backs.