Leonard thought coach Dwayne Nestor was joking when she earned her maiden call-up, after being introduced to Rugby XV's less than two years ago.

"I asked Dwayne if he was pulling my leg and he said it was nothing to joke about," Leonard said.

"I was in shock to be honest, I was gobsmacked and it wasn't something that I'd been expecting. I was thrilled, I was speechless, I was overjoyed and I almost had the shakes. I was nervous - all the emotions you can feel at once."

Leonard joins ten other uncapped players in Dwayne Nestor's 29-strong squad, who are set to take on Japan in a historic two-Test series next month.

The 24-year-old lock laced up her boots for her first game of XV's in the Super W opener for the Brumbies last year and has quickly risen through the ranks.

Leonard, who grew up playing basketball, had never been exposed to rugby union before the inaugural season of Super W.

"I was shocked to be selected at that level because I didn't know any of the rules nor the little skills that were involved," Leonard said.

"I'm sort of speechless and it's surreal that I'm playing at the highest level that we have in Australia. It's still hard to believe that I'm here."

MORE BRUMBIES NEWS

Leonard was invited into the national program after a breakthrough season with the Brumbies and won the inaugural Rookie of the Year award. The Canberran attributes her rapid rise to learning from and playing alongside highly experienced players.

"Being exposed at an early stage opened my eyes to the standard of rugby that [the Wallaroos] were training for," Leonard said.

"Seeing the level of the game and the intensive training made me want to be a part of that.

"They're building a legacy for people like myself, who are new to rugby, to follow."

Leonard is the only Brumbies player named for the Test series but former ACT representative Millie Boyle has earned a recall.

"It's an honour and I'm proud that we have at least one of us out there from the Brumbies," Leonard said. "It's special to be called into that squad and have the opportunity to show we have good quality football in the ACT as well.

"But I'd love to have those teammates with me and share this experience with them."

The Wallaroos will kick off the historic Test series against Japan in Newcastle on Saturday, July 13, before meeting again in Sydney on Friday, July 19.

Australia last played Japan at the 2017 World Cup, beating them 29-15 in the group stage.

"Japanese teams are usually very well structured, well drilled and often quite quick," Leonard said.

"It's going to be incredible to learn, absorb and develop as much as I can in those two weeks.

"I'm hoping for the opportunity to pull on the jersey and play for Australia, it would be a once in a lifetime experience.

"I'm excited to put my best foot forward and perform as best I can to get that opportunity."

Meanwhile Leonard will continue to take the field for the Tuggeranong ViQueens in the Canberra women's premier division. The ViQueens will clash with the winless Wests Rugby at Weetangera Oval on Saturday.

CANBERRA PREMIER DIVISION

Saturday:

Womens: Tuggeranong ViQueens v Wests Rugby at Weetangera Oval, 12.30pm. Uni-Norths Owls v Easts Rugby at ANU, 1.40pm.

John I Dent Cup: Gungahlin Eagles v Tuggeranong Vikings at Nicolls Enclosed, 3.05pm. Uni-Norths Owls v Easts Rugby at ANU, 3.05pm. Wests Rugby v Queanbeyan Whites at Jamison Oval, 3.15pm.