Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh has doffed his cap to the Wallaroos after one of their best ever Test victories provided a welcome tonic to the code.
The Wallaroos upset France 29-20 in Dunedin on Saturday after the world No.3 French had stunned world champions New Zealand 18-17 the week before in Wellington.
It came with the Wallabies in crisis mode as coach Eddie Jones quit just 10 months into a five year contract.
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In January, RA trumpeted a "world first" with Jones "also overseeing the Wallaroos program as Rugby Australia pushes forward towards a professional future for the women's XVs game."
Jones was not publicly sighted in Wallaroos camp but Waugh said he did put some effort into the women's program.
The Wallaroos and RA have been working to build bridges behind the scenes since players slammed the governing body for a lack of funding in August.
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"We've had really constructive conversations with the Wallaroos for the last five or six months," Waugh said.
"I was stoked for their performance. There's been commentary around Eddie and his support of the Wallaroos and I know that he's been working closely with Jay Tregonning, the head coach of the Wallaroos as well. So I think that everyone across Australian rugby was very, very pleased with the way they performed."
It was Australia's first win over France since 2010 and the Wallaroos (1-1) remain in the hunt for the inaugural WXV1 trophy.
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The Wallaroos will play their final WXV1 fixture against Wales at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on Friday (5pm kickoff AEDT).
England (10 points) lead the competition ahead of New Zealand (six), Canada and Australia (both five).
Wales are winless after a 42-22 defeat to Canada and a 70-7 loss to New Zealand.
Tregonning has made one change to his starting XV with winger Maya Stewart returning from concussion in place of Desiree Miller.
"After the positive result earned last weekend against France, we have the opportunity to finish the inaugural WXV1 competition on a high note," Tregonning said.
"As a team, we've taken plenty of confidence from the win in Dunedin, but we know Wales are now in the same position we were a week ago and will be looking to respond this weekend.
"With the entire squad of 30 players available for selection, and having come off such a strong performance, selection was particularly hard.
"All 30 have proven their capability, however we're confident in the 23 selected to get the result. Maya has progressed through her return to play protocols following her concussion without missing a beat and we what she is capable of."
AUSTRALIA (15-1): Faitala Moleka, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Arabella McKenzie, Ivania Wong, Carys Dallinger, Layne Morgan, Kaitlan Leaney, Emily Chancellor, Siokapesi Palu, Michaela Leonard (c), Sera Naiqama, Eva Karpani, Tania Naden, Brianna Hoy
Reserves: Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Cheatham, Bridie O'Gorman, Atasi Lafai, Ashley Marsters, Jay Huriwai, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer
WALES (15-1): Jasmine Joyce, Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (c), Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender, Kate Williams, Georgia Evans, Abbie Fleming, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Carys Phillips, Gwenllian Pyrs
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Cerys Hale, Alisha Butchers, Sioned Harries, Meg Davies, Robyn Wilkins, Kerin Lake
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