At the last women's showpiece tournament three years ago, lock Leaney was proud to be part of the squad in New Zealand but never managed to battle her way into any of the starting squads.
But this week, on the team's day off in Manchester before Saturday's tournament opener against Samoa, the 24-year-old, initially a bit concerned, was soon elated to be told she'll be the new co-captain alongside experienced flanker Emily Chancellor at the Salford Community Stadium.
"It's pretty cool," admitted the forward from Coffs Harbour who'll become the 20th Wallaroos captain.
"I actually had a missed call from Jo and then I had a text when I was out for coffee with a friend, and I was like, 'oh, crap, what's this about? Better give her a call back!' I didn't really know what to expect.
"Then Jo told me she'd spoken to Chance and thought that it would be a good opportunity for me to learn off her and have this co-captaincy together.
"It's crazy. This experience is a lot different to my first World Cup. I didn't play a game, so now having the captaincy next to my name, it's something I don't take for granted."
That experience of missing out on playing in 2022 really was a spur. "It definitely motivated me to put my best foot forward and do whatever I can and leave no stone unturned and hopefully be in a jersey for the World Cup," said Leaney.
"I'm blessed just to be here representing my country, let alone being able to lead."
She's determined to help propel what shapes as potentially the strongest Australian women's team yet to play at a World Cup to a dominant start against Samoa, a match they're expected to win, before the key group matches against hosts and favourites England and then the United States.
"Samoa is a very physical side, they want to play fast, they have that off-load game similar to New Zealand's," she said.
"So we're definitely going to have to front up in the physicality aspect and look to play fast and be really connected in attack and defence."
Yapp was quick to salute the new co-skipper. "She's been part of the leadership group for a while and with 'Pes' (Siokapesi Palu) still out injured, this was just the opportunity to make sure that we've got that leadership on the field all the time.
"She's been outstanding as a leader on and off the field. She's got experience from playing overseas, and she leads the lineout really well alongside Mac [Leonard]. Seeing that growth in her on and off the field has been really impressive."
