She’s won the World Cup but ‘this is tops’
Black Ferns captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili has competed in five Women’s Rugby World Cups, four of which her side won, but to be made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit just about tops that.
Fa’amausili was thrilled to receive a letter last week notifying her she would receive the Queens Birthday honours and admits keeping the secret from her mother was the hardest thing do do.
‘‘I’ve achieved everything I wanted to in rugby from the day I set goals. This is tops. You know I wouldn’t have thought I would ever receive anything like this. To be acknowledged this way and receive this honour is massive and it is definitely up there.’’
Not one to sing her own praises, Fa’amausili puts the award down to her team-mates at the Black Ferns.
‘‘I never thought, with being in a team sport, I would ever receive such an honour.
‘‘I’m very thrilled and just looking back on it this honour is an acceptance for the team. The girls who have played before me alongside me have played a massive part in this so I definitely take this for all of them and all their hard work.’’
Faamausili has captained the Black Ferns since 2012, is the most capped Black Fern at 52 caps, and has represented New Zealand at each of the five Rugby Women’s World Cup tournaments since 2002.
The 37-year-old planned on retiring after last year’s RWC winning effort in the UK but she is sticking around to nurture the young players coming through the ranks.
Fa’amausili made her debut in 2002 as a 21-year-old and has seen a lot of change in the game but the last 12 months has given her that extra boost to keep at the game she loves for at least one more season.
From a RWC win, to the Black Ferns being named world rugby team of the year, to her very first New Zealand Rugby contract and now honours.
‘‘The girls who have played before me alongside me have played a massive part in this.’’
Fiao’o Fa’amausili
‘‘I have mentioned it [retirement] for this year but I’m not going to mention it again.
‘‘I’m still loving the game. My body is still fit to play and, at this stage, I am going to take everything as it comes.
‘‘I always play every game, whether it’s for my club or international, like it’s my life so If I’ve still got that fire in my belly I will keep going.’’
That attitude is what got the inaugural