GEORGIA Roche hopes to show just why she laid the foundations for England’s best women to head Down Under – naming three more who could go with her.
The former Leeds star left her job in construction – often getting home after training at 9.45pm – to become a full-time player at Newcastle Knights in the NRLW.
And after getting over being away from home for the first time ever and not knowing anyone when she first arrived 10,000 miles away, she became a Grand Final winner.
Now as she prepares to step out on home turf as England take on Wales, she is adamant more could thrive in Australia, even though professional contracts at York Valkyrie are a huge step forward.
Georgia said: “Jodie Cunningham, Sinead Peach and Keara Bennett definitely stand out. If I was to put money on anyone going over, making their mark and showing what the English can do, it would be one of those three.
“I went over there as playing in the NRLW was my next goal and I’ve managed to achieve that.
“And moving there has made me better, for sure and not just as a player. It’s taught me a lot about myself in many different ways, things like people skills.
“Before this, I’d only ever been away from home for three weeks. I didn’t know a single person when I got there, now I’ve made friends for life.
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“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve no regrets at all.”
Georgia, 23, has managed to get a part-time job with the NRL to fill some of the extra hours she has during the day.
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And while she admits she had to adjust and get a lot fitter to the pace of the game in Australia, one change is taking a lot more to get over.
Being back in an English Autumn!
She added: “I’m freezing cold. It’s in the 30s in Newcastle. I don’t even own a jumper there, it’s always shorts and a singlet!
“But it’s great to be back and can’t wait to be among the girls. Hopefully we can put on a show.”
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