Australia opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 40-0 win over Samoa, but captain Simaima Taufa said the Jillaroos still had work to do.
After five first-half tries, Australia managed two more after the break, with completion falling to 76 per cent as errors and ineffective tackles increased.
"It showed we're still getting things to gel amongst the team, brushing away a few cobwebs as a lot of us haven't played in a month," Taufa told NRL.com.
The Raiders captain had feared she might miss the World Cup after a three-match suspension for a hip-drop tackle on Eels fullback Abbi Church in Round 10.
The ban ruled her out of Canberra's final regular-season match and its first finals campaign, including a win over Wests Tigers and a preliminary-final loss to eventual premiers the Roosters.
"We had to do the job to make sure the next person was ready," Taufa said, praising Sophie Holyman, Chloe Saunders and Hollie-Mae Dodd for leading the pack.
Despite being a three-time Dally M Lock of the Year with 19 Tests, the 32-year-old knew Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner could select emerging middle forwards instead.
"For me just to get the call-up it was a shock because it's never expected, never a given," Taufa said.
She will now pursue a third World Cup, grateful for the opportunity to represent Australia.
Australia's previous meeting with England ended in a 90-4 victory in Las Vegas, but Taufa expects a tougher challenge this time.
"The scariest part is that they, like us, have got more room to grow at this World Cup and so has England," she said.