New Zealand’s greatest-ever women’s captain, Farah Palmer led the Black Ferns to victory in three Women’s Rugby World Cups, in 1998, 2002 and 2006. During her reign as captain, from 1997 until her retirement in 2006, the Black Ferns lost only once.

A totally uncompromising hooker, Palmer made her international debut in a 28-5 win against Australia in August 1996. She represented her country 35 times, making her the fifth-most capped New Zealand women’s player, and scored 25 points. 

In a career filled with accolades, Palmer was named the IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year in 2005. The national provincial women’s competition in New Zealand was renamed as the Farah Palmer Cup in 2016 in recognition of her contribution to the game.

Now a senior lecturer at Massey University, Palmer remains a passionate and inspirational spokesperson on women’s sport and Maori issues.