But after 11 seasons representing the blue and gold it is her body that really brings her decision home.
The Otago Spirit captain is calling time on her representative career at the end of the Farah Palmer Cup season.
"This is definitely the last — the body says enough is enough," Gorinski said.
"I told myself it’s happening so I make sure I really try and enjoy my last year .. . all parts of it, training and all the games.
"It’s cool that there’s so much young talent coming through ... so I feel like I’ll be easily replaced."
That might be vastly underselling the lock’s impact on the Otago Spirit. She has been a warrior for the team across her 61 games.
But that young talent and the growth in women’s rugby made Gorinski proud — including the local secondary school level — it would blend well with the Otago Spirit’s core spine, as she passes the mantle.
"There’s a lot more younger girls which is really cool, just the standard keeps growing.
"Really cool to have another debutant this week, Leila Hill in lock, so you know, that’s my replacements coming through."
Gorinski, 30, loved representing Otago and has been a stalwart of rugby in the region, bringing up her 100th club game for University earlier this year. She was also named in the inaugural Matatu squad and has captained the Otago Spirit the past two seasons.
She will lead her beloved side out again as they face the Tasman Mako at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.
The Otago Spirit beat North Harbour Hibiscus 24-21 thanks to Te Atawhai Campbell’s last try in round one — Gorinski missed most of the game after a cut to the knee in the opening minutes — and then fell 47-12 against Manawatu Cyclones last week.
"You know, it always takes a wee but to get going," Gorinski said.
"Was pretty stoked we managed to sneak across the line against North Harbour.
"Manawatu . . . we didn’t play, or execute, the plan we wanted too and didn’t obviously perform how we had hoped.
"Looking forward to another chance this week to hopefully put a better performance together."
Playing their first game under the roof this season was exciting, with Forsyth Barr Stadium taking the wind out of the game and a fast pitched that aligned with how the Otago Spirit wanted to play.
Tasman are yet to win a game this season having lost 51-12 to Wellington Pride, who dropped down to the championship this year, and 46-5 to North Harbour.
But the Otago Spirit will not be taking them lightly.
"We know they’re going to be a tough opponent. All teams are getting better and better every year.
"We certainly know we need to bring the A game, just sticking to sort of the game plan.
"We want to use our strengths to play with speed."
Te Atawhai Campbell gets her first start on the wing while her sister, Oceana, shifts to the bench.
Eilis Doyle also starts at prop with Isla Pringle coming off the bench and Hill will make her Otago debut off the bench.
Rocoque White, Leah Ngawhika and Jennifer Lama are in line to make their debut for Tasman off the bench.
Captain Sui Pauaraisa will play her 20th game.
Farah Palmer Cup
FB Stadium, tomorrow, 11.35am
Otago Spirit: Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Te Atawhai Campbell, Cheyenne Cunningham, Keely Hill, Jamie Church, Sheree Hume, Georgia Cormick, Greer Muir, Zoe Frood, Bella Rewiri-Wharerau, Julia Gorinski, Sammie Bean, Rebekah Wairau, Tegan Hollows, Eilis Doyle. Reserves: Hannah Lithgow, Isla Pringle, Paige Church, Kayley Johnson, Leila Hill, Lininia Kaufana, Oceana Campbell, Lucy Hall.
Tasman Makos: Sarah Jones, Iva Sauira, Lesieli Taufa, Chloe Dixon, Michelle Curry, Ashleigh Wood, Lucy Brown, Fiaalii Solomona, Sui Pauaraisa, Lucy Crabbe, Brooklyn Logan, Grace Guyton, Avau Valentna Filimaua, Jett Hayward, Stephani Mitchell. Reserves: Cheyenne Galiki, Alisi Seigafo, Kolotita Lupeituu, Courtney Finau, Rocque White, Leah Ngawhika, Keeley-Mar Ridley, Jennifer Lama.
