38 FI OUT OF RETIREMENT
If one of the highlights of 2017 was the Black Ferns’ thrilling World Cup victory, then it surely stands to reason that the unexpected return of former captain Fiao’o Fa’aumausili was one of the big happenings of 2018.
Fa’aumausili became a household name when she captained the Black Ferns to World Cup glory in Northern Ireland and scored a hat-trick of tries in the final.
She returned home a hero and chose that moment, having turned 37, to retire – saying she felt she had done all she could and it was time for her to dedicate herself to her career as a Police sergeant in South Auckland.
That’s how she felt in December but by February 2018, she was feeling dierently. She was full of energy and desire and coach Glenn Moore thought the Black Ferns still needed her.
So he persuaded to come out of retirement and take one of the historic retainer contracts that were on oer.
“We talk about sacrifices but it’s [also] a choice,” she said after her return to the fold. “I chose to do what I do and I chose to be police ocer which is quite dicult, and I chose to play rugby at a high level.
“It takes a lot of my time and my family are very supportive. My friends are really supportive. When one thing slows down, then I’ll have more time for other things.”