Retiring skipper does it for dad

Sixteen years to the day since her dad passed away, Black Ferns captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili was able to raise the World Cup in fitting triumph, in a match which is set to mark the end of her international career.

The inspirational 36-year-old hooker, who has played 52 tests since debuting in 2002, brought down the curtain on her career in a rousing 41-32 fightback over defending champions England in the final in Belfast yesterday.

Fa’amausili hadn’t mentioned any firm retirement plans pre-tournament, but after putting New Zealand back on top of the women’s game, with their fifth World Cup triumph, it is the ultimate way to bow out.

‘‘I’m extremely happy, I’m on top of the world,’’ Fa’amausili said. ‘‘The girls really delivered, and I couldn’t ask for any better way to finish my rugby career in the black jersey, than to take that cup home.

‘‘It’s special because this day back in New Zealand, my dad passed away, so 16 years, anniversary today. To get to

"She's an absolute inspirational leader, a really good person with it." Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore, left, on retiring captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili

take that cup home for him - because he’s my biggest fan - means everything.’’

News of Fa’amausili’s impending departure from the game was still to filter through to coach Glenn Moore, who was nonetheless glowing in his praise of his skipper.

‘‘Well, she hasn’t exactly told me she’s finished yet,’’ he said. ‘‘But she’s an absolute inspirational leader, a really good person with it. She’s a very very humble lady, works hard and her family will be very proud of her.’’

Fa’amausili, who will be back to work in Auckland as a police detective, had been a part of four previous World Cup campaigns, with this the second successful final she had played in. While she had experienced world domination before, she was thrilled for those in the side who were lapping it up for the first time.

‘‘I was in tears, because those girls have worked so bloody hard,’’ she said. ‘‘Three years to train early hours in the morning, to go to work, and then to train again after work, and just to spend three hours or something with their families a day - that’s commitment right there. And to see them get their first World Cup gold medal, I’m extremely proud.

‘‘You had the two top teams in the world and they just displayed an amazing game of rugby out there,’’ Fa’amausili said.

‘‘It was a battle, and our girls were hurting, but they stepped it up when it mattered the most.’’

And for her, there couldn’t have been any finer finish.