Jillaroos forward Ellie Johnston is relishing her first chance to start a prop for her country in this IRL Rugby League World Cup, taking up the challenge against a former team-mate.

Australia will face Wales in Sunday’s opening match of the triple header at CommBank Stadium, with the Cronulla forward leader looking to target friend and ex-Shark Tayla Preston, who will line up in the halves for Wales. 

“I'm super excited obviously wherever I am in the team, I'm just happy to be here, so hopefully I start well on the weekend and get the job done,” Johnston said.

“Obviously this is my first World Cup and to play a new team like Wales that I haven't versed before is really exciting.

“I'm coming up against my mate Tayla Preston who is a massive addition to that team and I'm just really excited and I can't wait to get out there.

“Yes, 100 percent, I'll be trying to find her on the line, that's for sure.

“But I think Wales are so lucky to have her in the team to help direct them around.”

It was another strong season overall for the Sharks NRLW Members Player of the Year, who was also part of the winning NSW Blues State of Origin team.

Jillaroos assistant coach Melissa Spero praised the prop for her willingness to learn and take on board advice in order to improve.

“She has been really impressive,” Spero said.

“She's working really hard on the field, she's always asking the right questions, on how she can improve.

“(She is) going back and looking at the footage, she's keen to learn and grow and be a crucial part to this team.

“She gets to go out there and play a role and have a lot of fun out there while she's doing it.”

Spero was also full of praise for the adaptability of this week’s debutant Sheridan Gallagher, who has experienced a whirlwind few days since being a late call-up into camp for an injured Julia Robinson on Tuesday.

Now set to debut off the bench after a niggling foot injured ruled out Tiana Penitani Gray, Spero said the Raiders back had slotted in well in her first Jillaroos campaign.

"What a story for her, hey?” Spero said.

“Get flown into camp and then get to debut the next day.

“She's really excited and so are the rest of the team for her to debut on the weekend.

“I don't think it was something that she was expecting, but she's really bought into this team.

“For the short period that she's been here, she's made that effort to get amongst the girls and understand what we're trying to do in this camp.

“She'll go out there just like every other player and do her best.”