Playing for NSW Mets in the Elite Eight series at the National Touch League at Coffs Harbour in March, Quinlan suffered a terrible knee injury.

She dislocated her patella in her right knee during a match at the Touch Football Australia championships and was carried off the field.

It was initially thought the 19-year-old would be sidelined for months but six weeks after the injury, Quinlan is back on the park ready to take on the Kiwis in this weekend's Trans-Tasman Touch Football Series at Mudgee.

"I'm relieved to be playing," Quinlan said.

"My patella popped out then back in. They said it was a bit weird because I've done some bone bruising and that generally means you've done your ACL, but I haven't done my ACL.

"I will have my knee strapped and I'll just have to be cautious with it."

Samantha Hopkin is another who suffered an injury while playing at the NTL but has recovered to take her spot in the Australian women's opens team.

Quinlan made her opens debut as a 17-year-old at the last Trans-Tasman series in Mudgee two years ago.

With six caps next to her name, she is still young compared to likes of sisters Louise Winchester and Claire Tandek, and Queensland's Peta Rogerson who have 121 caps between them.

But with coach Peter Bell in charge of a new-look Australian team, Quinlan will be asked to step up and showcase her talent and touch experience.

She knows New Zealand will be tough despite the Aussies having a dominant record.

"It is going to be a tough tournament. The Kiwis have a new team and they will come out firing," Quinlan said. "Our girls will have to respond."

Winchester, the Aussie captain with 55 caps, Tandek, and debutants Kim Sue See and Maddie Sutton are expected to have a big tournament according to Quinlan.

But with all of the players playing with and against each other at the elite level, Quinlan said the Aussies will be hard to beat.

"We have a few new faces and a few older girls... we are trying to look at different players, the up and comers [for the World Cup]. I think we will be OK," she said.

The Trans-Tasman Touch Football Series begins on Friday at 3.30pm.

Three Test matches will be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Glen Willow.