Back in the Jillaroos line-up and one win away from another World Cup final, Simaima Taufa says there is added motivation to honour milestone woman Kezie Apps.
It has been 12 years since the pair debuted together for the national team and on Sunday at Allianz Stadium in Sydney Apps will become just the sixth woman to play 25 Tests for Australia.
Both forwards have won two World Cups, having never lost a game in the tournament, and Taufa is desperate to keep that streak going with a semi-final victory over Fiji.
"To celebrate her (Apps) in such a pinnacle moment, and playing semi-finals against Fiji's unreal and I know that the team is extra motivated this week to get the job done," Taufa said.
"To achieve such a milestone ... it's no easy feat. She's been through her highs and lows in this game, and her resilience and her mindset to earn the right to be here just showcases the tremendous woman that she is."
Fresh off a record-setting 124-6 win over Wales last weekend, the Jillaroos go into the clash with the Bulikulas as raging favourites, but incredibly wary of their opponents, who have reached the knockout stage for the first time.
"(Fiji) play off the cuff, they play what's happening in front and they're a really tough team," the 13-capped Australian said.
"I know they've got a lot to play for and so do we."
Taufa, 32, has been incredibly impressed with the standard of the Pacific nations, with Fiji pushing New Zealand all the way in pool play and Samoa eliminating England.
"The way the Pacific has been able to come across and celebrate their culture ... be role models for those girls back in Fiji, and Papua New Guinea and Samoa is unreal," she added.
Taufa's current focus is securing a third World Cup with Australia, but the proud Tongan-born lock revealed she remains open to representing her country of birth.
"I'll be open to (representing Tonga), but for now I'm proud to represent Australia," the Canberra Raiders captain said.
"It's home for me, it's the country that's provided so many opportunities for me and my family and I'm proud to represent Australia.
"I am proud of my Tongan culture and that's something I don't shy away from."
