Captain and openside flanker Shannon Parry has been ruled out of the match through injury, in her place lock Alisha Hewett will earn her first start of the tournament, with Chloe Butler moving to the flank.

Fellow Olympic gold medallist Sharni Williams will take over the captaincy duties.

In the backline, after earning her first World Cup start in the centres against France, Australian Defence Force playmaker Sarah Riordan will earn her first opportunity at flyhalf, with Sydney centre Kayla Sauavo returning to the starting side at inside centre.

In the reserves, Violeta Tupuola returns as prop cover, while 27-year old Jindabyne mechanic Kate Brown is in line for her Wallaroos debut.

Experienced fullback/flyhalf Ashleigh Hewson also remains unavailable for selection through injury.

“Last Sunday’s loss to France was a tough one for our team, but the group still have a lot to play for and we’ve named a side that we believe can get the job done against Japa,” head coach Paul Verrell said.

“Japan were impressive against the Irish in their last match and we must be mentally and physically ready for them as we head into our final pool game.

“We’ve unfortunately had to make a number of changes to the squad through injury and it’s disappointing to lose some of our more experienced players.

“Shannon has led this side admirably on-and-off the field and it’s a shame to have such an influential member of our squad unavailable.

“After being ruled out between the Irish and French matches, Ashleigh Hewson is also yet to fully recover from injury, but our strength and conditioning and medical staff are continuing to work closely with her with the hope she’ll be available for our matches in Belfast.”

The Wallaroos will face Japan on Thursday, August 17 kick-off at 5pm local time (2am AEST on Friday, August 18).

The match will be broadcast live via FOX SPORTS.

Wallaroos side to face Japan: 

1.         Liz Patu – Queensland, Wests

2.         Cheyenne Campbell – Queensland, Redlands

3.         Hilisha Samoa – Queensland, Brothers

4.         Alisha Hewett – Australian Defence Force (ADRFU), Queensland, GPS

5.         Millie Boyle – ACT, Canberra Royals

6.         Mollie Gray – Australian Defence Force (ADRFU), NSW, Maitland

7.         Chloe Butler – South Australia, Parramatta

8.         Grace Hamilton – Sydney, Sydney University

9.         Katrina Barker – NSW Country, Newcastle University

10.       Sarah Riordan – Australian Defence Force (ADRFU), Victoria, Melbourne

11.       Mahalia Murphy – Australian Sevens, NSW, Campbell Town

12.       Kayla Sauvao – Sydney, Parramatta

13.       Sharni Williams – Australian Sevens, ACT, Canberra Royals

14.       Nareta Marsters – Queensland, Sunnybank

15.       Samantha Treherne – Queensland, Sunnybank

Reserves

16.       Emily Robinson – Sydney, Warringah

17.       Violeta Tupuola – ACT, Royals

18.       Hana Ngaha – Queensland, Sunnybank

19.       Rebecca Clough – Western Australia, Cottesloe

20.       Kate Brown* – ACT, Tuggeranong Vikings

21.       Fenella Hake – Queensland, Redlands

22.       Ashleigh Timoko – Western Australia, Wanneroo

23.       Trilleen Pomare – Western Australia, Wanneroo