Lineout calls, rucks and mauls? Forget about it. How could Michaela Leonard know about the intricacies of being a second-rower when she didn't even know who Stephen Larkham was?
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"It's pretty embarrassing to admit, but when I first heard [Larkham's] name I had to ask about him," Leonard laughs.
"Now I know what he did for the Wallabies and the [ACT Brumbies], I'm amazed.
"I haven't even been playing for 18 months. It's pretty crazy to think that now I'm going to get a chance to play for my country."
Leonard will make her Wallaroos debut when Australia plays against Japan in a Test at Newcastle on Saturday.
The Brumbies lock will be one of three rookies in the starting XV for their first international match as the Wallaroos start blooding new faces for the World Cup campaign in 2021.
It caps a remarkable and rapid rise for the former basketballer, who had dreams of playing for the Australian Opals before making a switch to rugby union last year.
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Leonard was playing for the Queanbeyan Blues rugby league side when a group of her teammates decided to attend Brumbies trials.
Leonard tagged along and quickly found a home in a game she knew little about.
"I got invited to an under-17s Australian camp for basketball at the AIS," Leonard said.
"It was definitely the goal to the play for the Opals. At that point I wanted to go to America to play basketball and go to college.
"Looking at where I am now I'm glad I went down the path I did. I sort of just lost the passion for basketball and didn't really have that drive any more.
"I don't think I got that passion again until I started playing rugby. I was willing to give up things to try to achieve what I wanted. It's incredible to think I'm going to step out on the field in a gold jersey, albeit in a different sport to what I thought. It will be amazing."
The Wallaroos will play two Tests against Japan before trans-Tasman clashes against New Zealand next month.
Leonard is the only Brumbies player in the Wallaroos side after injuries prevented Shellie Milward and Tayla Stanford from being included.
Larkham has been in camp with the Wallaroos as a technical advisor to help the Australian women's side rise to a new level, starting with the match against Japan.
But Leonard says Brumbies captain Milward and Wallaroos legend Louise Burrows are the ones who have had major impacts on her career so far.
"Playing both club rugby and representative with Shellie ... she's been willing to teach me and give direction, put in the extra hours with me," Leonard said.
"Louise as well, she's such a willing teacher. That all adds up and that's something I've noticed about the rugby culture, all the girls are willing to help out to make you the best you can be."
The Wallaroos will also have four rookies on the bench, while former Brumbies back-rower Millie Boyle will be the team's vice captain.
"I'd never even watched a rugby game on television ... I didn't know lineouts or scrums. I've learnt a new thing every training," Leonard said. "I found I loved it and I'm excited for what's ahead."
WOMEN'S TEST
Saturday: Wallaroos v Japan at Newcastle, 3pm.
Wallaroos team: 1. Emily Robinson, 2. Averyl Mitchell, 3. Evelyn Horomia, 4. Michaela Leonard, 5. Alisha Hewett, 6. Millie Boyle, 7. Emily Chancellor, 8. Grace Hamilton, 9. Cobie-Jane Morgan, 10. Trileen Pomare, 11. Mhicca Carter, 12. Ariana Hira-Herangi, 13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, 14. Samantha Treherne, 15. Mahalia Murphy. Reserves: Ashley Marsters, Liz Patu, Eva Karpani, Rebecca Clough, Shannon Mato, Georgia Cormick, Arabella McKenzie, Lori Cramer.
