"Dad Handing Me My First Cap. I’ll Cherish That Forever": Meet Wallaroo #189 Annabelle Codey

By Angus Hayman

Annabelle Codey’s return to the Wallaroos wasn’t just a comeback, it was a statement.

After nearly two years out of the squad, she ran out against the Black Ferns with something to prove, not just to selectors or fans, but to herself. And as the anthem played and her father, fellow Wallaby David Codey, watched on, there was a sense of something bigger than sport unfolding. This was about resilience. A trait rugby players know all too well.

After 631 days away from the international stage, Codey pulled on the prestigious Wallaroos jersey once again last Saturday to face the infamous Black Ferns. It wasn’t just a return; it was a reminder of why she belongs and how far she’s come.

"My Wallaroos debut against the Black Ferns in 2022 was surreal," she says. "They’re a legacy team and facing them is no small moment. I remember standing there watching the haka with a thousand thoughts racing through my head. The jersey meant everything, but Dad handing me my first cap? That’s something I’ll cherish forever."

Annabelle Codey during the National Anthem, Wallaroos v Black Ferns

That moment, with her father, the 61st captain of the Wallabies, handing his daughter, Wallaroo #189, her cap, is a memory the family will never forget. Rugby runs deep in the Codey bloodline, but Annabelle has always carved her own path.

Growing up in Brisbane, rugby union was simply "always on in the background thanks to Dad.” She eventually moved to Sydney in 2022 and joined Easts Rugby. The Beasties weren’t just a new club; they were a new challenge.

"I’d been playing in Queensland but was ready for something different," she says. "I knew I wanted to push myself, and I was aware the Waratahs women are a strong, competitive side. After a few chats with people familiar with the Beasties’ culture, it felt like the right club to be a part of."

That choice has proven pivotal. Annabelle speaks fondly of her time with Easts, not just because of the success or the reputation, but because of the people.

"It’s a club full of good humans who genuinely care," she says. "It was tough moving away from home and pushing through stretches when my confidence dipped or things weren’t clicking, but those moments made me better."

Her return to the Wallaroos setup this season didn’t come easily. After an underwhelming year in 2023, she found herself outside the squad, left to do the work away from the spotlight.

Head coach Jo Yapp said it best: "Annabelle has always been a player that's been on our radar, and I think to her own admission, she didn't perform particularly well last year. But she's gone away and worked really hard to make those changes and… she's really stepped up."

That’s the part of her story that matters most. The gap. The silence. The 631 days of disciplined work done in the background.

Annabelle doesn’t romanticise it. There were doubts, bruises, and the ache of being left out. But she did what resilient people do. She got better.

Driving that resilience are a few core people in her life. Her father, for one. “I’ve looked up to how he carried himself both on and off the field,” she says. "Players were just built differently back then. He won the 1984 Grand Slam in Ireland and the UK and was back at his day job the next week. His stories always keep me grounded. He pushes me to aim higher, without ever saying much."

And then there’s her teammate Atasi Lafai.

"She’s honestly one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. Being around her pushes me to level up. She’s a powerhouse on the field but even more so off it. She’s injured right now, but still shows up for everyone and leads just by being who she is. Watching how she carries herself reminds me why I love this game."

The rugby world tends to celebrate speed, power, and results. But in Annabelle Codey, there’s a story that goes a lot further than ones of on-field accolades. One about learning to wait. One about staying ready when your name isn’t called. One about finding strength not just in contact, but in character.

As she looks ahead, it’s clear that her story still has chapters left to write. With the Beasties, the Waratahs, and the Wallaroos, she’s carving out her own legacy. One that stands proudly alongside the family name, but also one that is unmistakably her own.

And now, with the jersey back on and the belief restored, we can all breathe a breath of relief knowing that when character leads, comebacks aren’t just possible. They’re inevitable.

The Easts Rugby Women's Team is proudly sponsored by Harvey Norman.