Republic of Ireland full-back Heather Payne is taking inspiration from Ireland rugby flyer, and old schoolmate, Beibhinn Parsons as she prepares to face Australia's lightning quick wide players in Sydney on Thursday.
Payne has been converted to a marauding wing-back in the last few months having previously soldiered as a lone striker.
She will be tasked with stopping the likes of Cortnee Vine, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso at the 83,500-capacity Accor Stadium - each one of them loaded with speed and skill.
Payne hails from the same part of Ballinasloe as jet-heeled Ireland wing Parsons, and admitted she'll need to muster similar pace to halt the Matildas.
"I went to the same school as Beibhinn, primary and secondary," said Payne.
"She would have been two years below me, but I know her. She was always a bit younger than me. In school and stuff we played together, but mainly probably in the Community Games I would have seen her a few times. She is very athletic, she would always win the underage races, the 100m sprints and stuff. She is next level."
Ireland are facing an enormous task against the Aussies. Tony Gustavsson has added real depth to his squad, underlined by the fact he could call on Fowler off the the bench against France last Friday, her goal earning them an impressive 1-0 win.
"I was just watching some of the France and Australia game yesterday and their wingers are very quick," said Payne.
"But with our five at the back, we nearly have the two centre-backs covering the wide players more than me at times. So I was just focusing on them but also the full-backs, because the full-backs will probably be pushing high, and me and Katie [McCabe] will probably try to push onto them.
"They have speed, they have a lot of speed everywhere. I'm just focusing on the 11-plus players as a whole and just seeing what they are about."
Payne is currently without a club after completing a four-year degree in dietetics at Florida State University, where she played for the university's team, the Seminoles.
"I was in talks [with clubs] before the World Cup and now I'm just focused on the World Cup," she said.
"I’ll worry about that when I get back. It probably will be England. I’ve been talking to a few people, but no decision has been made yet. Like I said, World Cup now."
The magnitude of what's about to kick off in Oz is really hitting home now. The squad flies to Sydney on Wednesday, where family and friends will be waiting to greet them ahead the biggest match in the history of Irish women's football.
"It kind of hit me yesterday, really, thinking tomorrow is Monday, just four days to the game," said Payne.
"So I'm getting more and more excited. I want to be really, really focused now from today onwards. Of course it’s a huge occasion and it is really exciting. The closer we get to it the more excited I am.
"I always like playing bigger games. I've found out about myself growing up that the bigger the occasion the better. It allows you to be way more tuned in.
"Since it’s such a big game, you have to try to be fully focused and everything. Of course the excitement is there, but everyone needs a bit of nerves, I think nerves are good. If you are not nervous, it’s a little bit worrying. You kind of feed off that and then you just go from there. But everyone is going to be really excited and nervous, and all that put together."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Thursday at 11am, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on 2fm
