Born: 30 September, 1980 in Apia, Samoa

Regarded as the one of the most formidable hookers in world rugby, Fiao’o Fa’amausili played in five Rugby World Cups for New Zealand, matching the Black Ferns’ record of former teammate Anna Richards.

First capped in a 36-3 win against Australia at RWC 2002 in Barcelona, Fa’amausili went on to become the first Black Fern to play 50 tests during RWC 2017 and held the mantle of most-capped player with 57 tests until surpassed by Kendra Cocksedge in June 2022.

Fa’amausili was appointed captain in 2012 and led the Black Ferns on 34 occasions, including to victory at Rugby World Cup 2017. She had also played in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions, helping New Zealand to victory in the first three of those tournaments. 

Always leading by example, Fa’amausili was a massive driver of the level of professionalism and dedication that enabled the Black Ferns to dominate for much of her time in the black jersey, which came to an end in November 2018 when she made a try-scoring farewell against France. 

In the year of her retirement from test rugby, Fa’amausili was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit and also nominated for the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of Year accolade for the second time in three years. 

Throughout her 16-year test career, Fa’amausili served as a police Detective in the Auckland district of Counties Manukau, while also representing the province on the rugby field no less than 106 times. During her time with Auckland, she won an incredible 15 domestic titles.

Fa’amausili was selected as hooker in the World Rugby Women’s 15s Team of the Decade in December 2020 and a year later was elected president of Auckland Rugby, the first woman to hold the position in the union’s history.