England captain Jodie Cunningham has sent a good luck message to Georgia Roche ahead of her historic appearance for Newcastle Knights in this weekend’s NRLW Grand Final in Sydney.
And Cunningham is hoping to welcome Roche back as an NRLW champion when she comes home to join the England squad ahead of the one-off international against Wales at Headingley in November.
Roche, who was the first winner of the Woman of Steel award as an 18-year-old when it was introduced in 2018, joined the Knights after impressing in last autumn’s Rugby League World Cup, and after her early weeks in Australia were interrupted by logistical and injury issues, she has been increasingly influential as they have reached the Grand Final with an unbeaten seven-match run.
They face Gold Coast Titans on Sunday at the Accor Stadium in Sydney’s Olympic Park – before Herbie Farnworth’s Brisbane Broncos take on Penrith Panthers in the NRL Grand Finals - with both game to be shown live on Sky Sports from 5:50am.
“I’m so excited for Georgia to have the opportunity to play on this stage,” said Cunningham.
“It was a big move for her and the other England girls when they went out to the NRLW this year, and it’s fantastic that she will be playing in the Grand Final.
“She’s such a skilful player, and it’s been a pleasure to see her mature and develop since her early days with Castleford.
“We’ll all be getting up early on Sunday morning to watch – and it’s great for us that she’ll be coming home to join our preparations for the Wales game.
“With that game being at Headingley, where Georgia used to play for Leeds, I know she’ll be looking forward to that.”
Georgia revealed in an interview with Australian Associated Press this week that her mum, Charlotte, has flown out to attend the match.
Newcastle’s success has generated huge enthusiasm in the League-mad city, with a record attendance of almost 13,000 watching last weekend’s semi final, and the Grand Final being shown on big screens this weekend.
Watch Cunningham and Roche on Saturday 4 November play for England against Wales at Headingley Stadium. Get tickets here!
