Georgia O'Neill is used to performing under the bright lights on the big stage – but conquering New Zealand in her international debut might just be her biggest role yet.
O'Neill will take her place in the Wallaroos' starting XV for the first time when Australia face New Zealand for the Laurie O'Reilly Cup at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Georgia O’Neill and Shellie Milward have been picked in the Wallaroos squad.
Her long-awaited international debut is a double-edged sword – she will miss the Uni-Norths Owls' ACT rugby grand final against the Tuggeranong Vikings at Viking Park on the same day.
O'Neill has been named at openside flanker for her international debut, joining Brumbies teammate Shellie Millward (lock) in the Wallaroos starting side for the Bledisloe Cup double-header.
It has been a remarkable rise to the international stage since O'Neill decided to pick up where her brother left off and chase a career on the football field.
The Uni-Norths flanker dabbled in boxing four years ago, but was ruled out of an AIS program because of a heart murmur.
O'Neill was a fringe Wallaroos player two years ago after she committed to the 15-a-side game when injury dashed her hopes of a national sevens debut.
Last year the musical theatre performer and gymnastics teacher was spending her nights rehearsing and building sets for her role in the musical Chicago.
The 22-year-old has come a long way from being prepared to put her Wallaroos dream on the backburner before the landmark Super W competition came to fruition.
O'Neill joins Emily Chancellor, Atasi Lafai, Crystal Maguire and Mhicca Carter as run-on debutants with Darryl Wickliffe, Melissa Fatu, Alice Tonumaivao and Shanice Parker looking to earn a maiden cap from the bench.
"We’ve had a really excellent build up to our first match of 2018 and the team is chomping at the bit to get out there and play some rugby," Wallaroos head coach Dwayne Nestor said.
"I’ve been really impressed with how this team has taken on the detail of the way we want to play and physically worked hard over the last few months; it’s all come together in camp quite well."
LAURIE O'REILLY CUP
Saturday: Wallaroos v New Zealand Black Ferns at ANZ Stadium, 5.45pm. TV: Live on Fox Sports. Tickets from Ticketek.
Wallaroos squad: 1. Emily Robinson, 2. Liz Patu, 3. Evelyn Horomia, 4. Michelle Milward, 5. Rebecca Clough, 6. Emily Chancellor, 7. Georgia O’Neill, 8. Grace Hamilton, 9. Cobie-Jane Morgan, 10. Trileen Pomare, 11. Samantha Treherne, 12. Crystal Maguire, 13. Atasi Lafai, 14. Mhicca Carter, 15. Mahalia Murphy. Reserves: 16. Darryl Wickliffe, 17. Melissa Fatu, 18. Hana Ngaha, 19 Alisha Hewett, 20. Kiri Lingman, 21. Alice Tonumaivao, 22. Fenella Hake, 23. Shanice Parker.
Black Ferns squad: 1. Phillipa Love, 2. Fiao'o Faamausili (c), 3. Aldora Itunu, 4. Eloise Blackwell, 5. Charmaine Smith, 6. Charmaine McMenamin, 7. Les Elder, 8. Aroha Savage, 9. Kendra Cocksedge, 10. Ruahei Demant, 11. Alena Saili, 12. Theresa Fitzpatrick, 13. Stacey Waaka, 14. Renee Wickliffe, 15. Selica Winiata. Reserves: 16. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 17. Cristo Tofa, 18. Leilani Perese, 19. Jackie Patea-Fereti, 20. Linda Itunu, 21. Kristina Sue, 22. Krysten Cottrell, 23. Chelsea Alley.
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