Papua New Guinea created history when they reached the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship semi-finals last November, which saw them qualify for their first-ever World Cup.

Australia has faced the team once this year during their pool match at the Sydney Sevens earlier this year, defeating them 50-0.

"Papua New Guinea will be tough, we've only played them a couple of times so we don't know a whole lot about them but they have some key players and we will have to watch out for them," Charlotte Caslick said.

The side was then invited to Hong Kong acted not only as a qualifier for the 2018–19 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series but also for seeding purposes for the World Cup.

The team finished their campaign at the quarterfinals to eventual winners China.

"We saw them in Hong Kong and they did very well so we certainly need to shut them down but we are focusing on us and what we can do to set out standards for the tournament," Australian women's rugby sevens coach John Manenti said.

"There a little bit unknown, obviously we haven't seen a heap about them on the circuit but they certainly have two to three players that have made an impact," he said.

One of those players to watch is lethal finisher Joanne Lagona is missing from the squad, but vice-captain Debbie Kaore, who is one of their most experienced players will be there to help guide the side. 

MATCH DETAILS

Australia vs Papua New Guinea

Kick-off: Saturday, July 21 at 4:28am AEST

Broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports