The Wallaroos’ bid to take some form and momentum into next month’s World Cup have been given a boost, with the nation’s greatest tryscorer, Maya Stewart, to return for Jo Yapp’s side against Wales on Friday night (7pm AEST) at North Sydney Oval.

After missing the past couple of months due to a leg injury suffered in the win over Fiji way back in May, Stewart is one of six changes from the side that went down 21-12 to Wales in the rain in Ballymore last weekend.

Stewart’s return sees the Wallaroos have an all-Waratahs back-three as the winger joins Desiree Miller and Caitlin Halse in the outside channels.

She’s not the only high-profile return, with Faitala Moleka returning after missing last week’s Test and slots into the No.10 jersey.

The Brumbies playmaker replaces Tia Hinds, who drops back to the bench, and forms a new-look halves combination alongside Samantha Wood. Regular halfback Layne Morgan will provide some pace off the bench.

Up front, former Wallaroos skipper Piper Duck has been promoted to the run-on side and forms a well-balanced back-row trio alongside skipper Emily Chancellor and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.

Wallaroos tryscoring machine Maya Stewart is back fit. (Source: Getty Images)

Michaela Leonard joins Kaitlan Leaney in the second-row, with Annabelle Codey dropping out of the side.

The final change is in the front-row, with Faliki Pohiva coming in at loose-head prop to replace Lydia Kavoa.

The Force’s Alapeta Ngauamo has also been named on the bench with Eva Karpani (back) and Bree-Anna Browne (leg) unavailable through injury.

After being smashed at the breakdown and letting themselves down with poor handling and shoddy lineout work, Friday evening’s Test looms as an important one for Yapp’s side to rediscover the same form that saw them win the WXV2 tournament last year.

Yapp said the side was excited for the opportunity to wrap up their pre-World Cup Tests on a high.

 “We were disappointed with last week’s performance. We’ve all had some honest reviews, and we are pleased with how the squad has responded at training,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had injuries to Eva and Bree which has meant calling in Alapeta and we know Alapeta will come in and do a great job.

“We are also excited for Maya Stewart’s return after injury. With a short turnaround we are looking forward to playing at North Sydney Oval in our final game before the World Cup.”

Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp says she’s after a response after last week’s shock loss to Wales. (Photo by Robbie Stephenson/Getty Images)

The injection of Stewart undoubtedly will help the Wallaroos.

The flying winger scored in seven consecutive Tests last year and knows North Sydney Oval well, having starred on the famous oval in recent years.

The return of Moleka at flyhalf should give the Wallaroos some more direction, with sevens convert Hinds still finding her feet in the role.

While Duck’s return to the starting side will give the Wallaroos a composed figure and some extra punch on the fringes of the Welsh defence.

Yapp will have also emphasised the need to stop the Welsh at the breakdown after captain Alex Callender enjoyed a field day last weekend.

Wallaroos (1-15): Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (c), Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Samantha Wood, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse

Replacements: Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis