Rooted in PWR: Maddie Feaunati

Maddie Feaunati could have represented New Zealand, Samoa or England at this summer’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, but it was never likely to be anyone other than the home nation.

The Bath-born back row moved to New Zealand, where she came to rugby late on, at just nine years old but a move to Premiership Women’s Rugby in 2023 signalled a home-coming and the start of a rapid rise.

It saw Feaunati go from just starting to take rugby seriously to making her international debut within the space of four years.

“I didn't really get into rugby until I left school. I played my first 15s game when I was 17 and that was because of COVID,” she explained. 

“I was playing netball semi-professionally and then COVID happened and there was only rugby. So I left netball behind and put everything into rugby in 2020.

“I've always loved rugby because I've grown up around rugby and my family's a huge rugby family. It's always been something that I knew I should have given a go earlier, but once I finally did it, I was just like, ‘This is fun.’”

Feaunati diagnoses her late introduction to the acceptability of girls playing rugby when she was younger, with very few of her peer group involved in the game.

“The reason why I didn't play rugby is because not many women or girls around me played rugby,” she said.

“I knew that it was different and I knew that people treated it differently. I knew the pay gap was different, if there was any pay at that time. 

“I had always just known so that's also the stigma. I grew up around rugby and I knew that there's a gap.”

Luckily for Feaunati, a familiarity with rugby from a young age eventually won out.

Her family certainly fit the definition of a ‘rugby family’, too, with her dad Isaac ‘Zak’ Feaunati, a former Samoan international who played at number eight for Bath Rugby.

And having signed for Exeter Chiefs in October 2023, it was not long before her sister Zara also joined her at the club.

Kicking off the tournament in style! 🚀

Congratulations to Maddie Feaunati on her selection for @RedRosesRugby in the opening match of @rugbyworldcup 2025!

Go well Maddie, the whole of the South-West is wishing you the best 🖤#RWC2025 | #SheInspires | 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌹 pic.twitter.com/1hHkyj8g2N

— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) August 20, 2025

Her return to England, and subsequent introduction to the England set-up, was firmly rooted in the PWR as she made an instant impression in the south west.

With 20 appearances and 15 points to her name in less than two years at the club, it was no wonder Feaunati experienced a rapid rise with the Red Roses as she landed her first international cap against France in the 2024 Six Nations.

“[Making your debut] is so surreal because you're trying to act like you've done this before, but you're also trying to take it all in as a new experience,” recalled the 23-year-old.

“It really didn't hit me until after the game and then I could just reflect and realise what I'd achieved. It was a really cool experience.”

Having since racked up 17 international appearances, Feaunati has earned herself a call-up to the Red Roses’ World Cup squad where she will face the nation her father represented in the group stages.

And while the Chiefs’ back row would not consider herself a vocal leader, she brings her own values formed from her time in New Zealand and England to the pitch through her own means.

“I'm growing into leading through the culture and the team,” she said.

“I'm not the one to make decisions on the pitch. I'm not the one to talk to the team before a game. 

“But I have a culture that I come from and I have morals and values that I fall back on and try to put that into the teams I'm with. Whether it's just talking to people daily or whether it is me showing that on the pitch.”

It's two for Maddie Feaunati - and it's the bonus point for the Red Roses 🌹🙌#WALvENG | #GuinnessW6N pic.twitter.com/lg8O9Bhjad

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 29, 2025

Having triumphed over the USA in their opening match in Sunderland, England face Samoa on the 30th August at cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton and with the Feaunati family split in allegiance.

But Feaunati has ambitions for rugby beyond just singular match wins, as important as three points on Saturday is.

“I want to make my mark as the best player I can be,” she emphasised. “I hope I bring different things to the game in the years to come. 

“But also off the pitch, I want to be a great person to be around, and again, push culture and values.

“We talk about it all the time but it's just realising not to put the pressure on ourselves and enjoy it, thrive with it and know what we can do for women's rugby in our country.”