From Samoan Roots to English Rugby Greatness

Maddie Feaunati’s World Cup call-up has been a whirlwind two years in the making, but the 23-year-old number eight’s journey to the top of English rugby has been a long and winding road. Born in Leeds to a Samoan father and a Kiwi mother, Feaunati spent time growing up in New Zealand, where she was surrounded by the rugby world from a young age.

“It was so normal to me,” Feaunati said in an interview, “I guess there was never a point in time where I discovered it, I was literally born into the rugby world.” Her father, Isaac Feaunati, a former Samoa international, played for London Irish, Rotherham, Leeds, and Bath, and featured for his country at the 1999 World Cup. He also found fame in Hollywood after playing New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu in the film Invictus alongside Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.

Feaunati credits her father for her own love of rugby, saying, “I grew up around it. It was so normal to me. I guess there was never a point in time where I discovered it, I was literally born into the rugby world.” She also says that her Kiwi accent often confuses people, but she is proud to be a part of the Red Roses, the English national women’s rugby team.

After turning down an approach from the Black Ferns, the New Zealand women’s rugby team, Feaunati committed to England and has since made her debut in the 2024 Six Nations. She has also faced New Zealand twice in her career and will come up against Samoa in the World Cup pool stage.

The Red Roses’ World Cup squad includes experienced players like Alex Matthews, who will be playing in her fourth World Cup, and former England captain Sarah Hunter, who is now the defence coach for the team. Feaunati says she is learning every day from these players, saying, “I just chew her ear off daily, which I’m not sure if she loves, but I just ask her heaps of questions.”

As Feaunati prepares to play in her first World Cup, she is taking the experience in her stride. “It was never ‘I’m gonna get there’,” she said. “It was more just a goal that I just slowly started ticking off.” She is focused on being fearless and wanting to keep being the player she is.

Feaunati’s family, who will be flying to England from New Zealand for the World Cup, are fully behind her and the Red Roses. “My whole family is behind us all over the world,” she said, laughing. As for her parents, they are 100% backing the Red Roses, and Feaunati is ready to give it her all for the team.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is set to take place in England from August 22nd to September 27th. The tournament will feature the best teams from around the world, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Feaunati’s journey to the top of English rugby is a testament to her hard work and dedication. From her early days growing up in New Zealand to her current role as a key player for the Red Roses, she has come a long way. And as she prepares to take on the best teams in the world, she is ready to give it her all and make her mark on the sport.

“I love this environment; I love being out on the field with these girls, I love training as hard as we do, and I want to be a part of this badly,” Feaunati said, summing up her passion for the sport. With her talent, work ethic, and determination, she is sure to make a lasting impact on the world of women’s rugby.