Wallaroos halfback Georgia Cormick has a dark past. You might even call it an all black past.
Yep. Those guys.
Cormick is a plucky Rebels halfback who, via the withdrawal of veteran Cobie-Jane Morgan, is in line to wear the Wallaroos' no.9 when Australia takes on the Black Ferns in Perth on Saturday.
After debuting for the Wallaroos against Japan last month, it will be Cormick’s third time in the gold jersey.
And with any luck it will cure her once-and-for-all of a disturbing habit formed growing up in an expat Kiwi household in Melbourne.
"I was roped in from an early age,” Cormick laughs.
"I grew up wearing an All Blacks jersey to Saturday rugby games and trainings and whatnot. There has always been a bit of All Blacks support in our house, I’ll admit it.
"They’re starting to convert now I am in the Aussie squad. This week they’ll definitely be on my side, don’t worry.”
Cormick was born in Dunedin but moved to Australia as a baby with her father Chris and mum Michelle.
A Kiwi-forged love of rugby still flowed strongly through the Cormick house after their move and all the kids joined up at the Harlequins club as juniors, including an eight-year-old Georgia. She was the only girl in her team.
"I started in under eights and went through the junior levels,” Cormick said.
"I had to stop at age 12, because there was no girls comp back then. That was pretty shattering because I absolutely loved Saturday rugby games."
Cormick picked up netball, athletics, cricket and whatever else was going but it wasn’t the same.
"I have always had a huge passion for rugby and even when I stopped playing I would always go to my brothers games and be kicking the ball on the sidelines. And I’d watch a lot of games,” Cormick said.
"My passion was re-ignited when I was 17. I went along to a talent ID day for the Aussie 7s and I got into a bit of club footy down in Melbourne and haven’t stopped really.”
With a dispensation to play senior footy as a 17-year-old, Cormick joined up with the Unicorns and was soon playing rep footy for Victoria as well. She now plays for Power House.
When the Super W arrived in 2018, Cormick was approached by Rebels women’s coach Alana Thomas with a proposal.
"I has played fullback mostly and a little bit of ten growing up but then Alana (Thomas), wanted me to start playing halfback,” Cormick said.
"I wasn't too happy about it at the start. I didn’t like it but now I absolutely love it. It was a blessing in disguise.”
Much to her shock, Cormick got a call-up to train at the Wallaroos camp last year and was excited to put in a strong Super W season for Melbourne.
With rotten timing, a broken hand saw Cormick sidelined for the competition but coach Dwayne Nestor remained a big fan and the 23-year-old was picked on the bench for the two Japan Tests in Newcastle and North Sydney.
"Being in camp last year, I wasn’t expecting it and it was an awesome experience being there with the girls,” she said.
"To be able to get a shot this year has been awesome. I have been loving it so far.
"To have been given the opportunity to be playing for Australia, it’s amazing.”
Cormick still appreciates Kiwi rugby but her allegiance is now and well and truly to the good guys and girls in gold.
With Morgan out this week due to personal reasons, Cormick will be lining up against the Black Ferns as the likely starter.
"I guess it will feel slightly odd but not really; Australia is my home. I have been here my whole life, so to have this opportunity to represent my country is amazing. It is still pretty surreal and it is a huge honour for me,” Cormick said.
“Cobie has been a massive part of my development and helped me grow over the last year. She has been a big inspiration for me, to keep training hard.
"But with her not being here, it presents me with a really big opportunity. I was pleased with how I went against Japan and if I am able to get into that starting XV, it’d be a huge honour.”
The Wallabies take on New Zealand at Optus Stadium, Perth, on Saturday August 10, kicking off at 5;45pm local, 7;45pm AEST, with the Wallaroos-Black Ferns kicking off at 3pm local, 5pm AEST. The Wallabies are LIVE on Network Ten, FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and RUGBY.com.au RADIO while the Wallaroos will be shown on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
