Fiao'o Faamausili is a former Black Ferns hooker and captain who won four Women's Rugby World Cup titles across her career.
Fiao'o Fa'amausili ONZM was born on 30 September 1980 in Samoa, moving to New Zealand with her family at age five. Her mother's family comes from Fogapoa in Savai'i and her father's from the villages of Faleula and Aleisa in Apia, and she has returned to Samoa every year throughout her life to maintain those family ties. Fa'amausili made her Black Ferns debut in May 2002 against Australia in Barcelona, and developed into one of the most formidable hookers in the history of women's rugby, combining exceptional strength with reliable set-piece work over a remarkable international career spanning five Rugby World Cups. She played over 100 games for Auckland, winning multiple provincial titles. Fa'amausili won World Cup titles with New Zealand in 2002, 2006, and 2010, becoming the first Black Fern to reach 50 Test caps, and was appointed captain in 2012, leading the team on 34 occasions including to a fourth World Cup title in 2017 on home soil in Ireland. Fa'amausili retired from international rugby in 2018 with a try-scoring farewell performance, having held the record as New Zealand's most-capped player with 57 Tests until surpassed by Kendra Cocksedge in 2022. She was named to the World Rugby Women's 15s Team of the Decade in 2020, elected the first woman president of Auckland Rugby in 2021, and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2022. She also works as a police detective in south Auckland, alongside her rugby commitments.
Black Ferns captain, four-time Women's World Cup winner
Career Honours
- Women's Rugby World Cup winner (2002/06 era to 2017, 4 titles)
- ONZM
- World Rugby Hall of Fame
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | — | — |
| Manukau | — | — |