Rugby player
| Date of birth | (2002-05-18) 18 May 2002 (age 22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Leeds, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Maddie Feaunati (born 18 May 2002) is an English rugby union player. She plays internationally for England and for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Women's Rugby.
Early life
Feaunati was born in Leeds, England before moving to New Zealand as a nine year old, she later attended St Mary's College in Wellington. She played netball, and rugby alongside her three sisters. She is the daughter of former Samoan international and Bath No. 8 Isaac ‘Zak’ Feaunati, he also played Jonah Lomu in the 2009 film Invictus.
She has a degree in digital marketing.
Rugby career
Feaunati played provincially for Otago Spirit and Wellington Pride in the Farah Palmer Cup. She has also played for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.
She made her Chiefs debut against Leicester Tigers in the Allianz Cup and made her first league start against Ealing Trailfinders in January 2024. She and younger sister, Zara, signed a new contract with Chiefs for next season.
Feaunati made her test debut for England against Italy in the 2024 Six Nations on 24 March. She made five appearances off the bench during the tournament and scored her first international try against Ireland at Twickenham on 20th April in the Red Roses 88-10 victory. She was also qualified to play for Samoa and New Zealand. She got her first start for the Red Roses in the September test against France. She was brought in as a replacement for the injured, Sadia Kabeya.
Feaunati was confirmed as a member of England's 30-player squad for the 2024 WXV 1 tournament that is held in Canada.
References
- ^ Rendell, Sarah (3 April 2024). "Maddie Feaunati: Ten things you should know about the England back row". Rugby World. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- Rendell, Sarah (15 March 2024). "England call up daughter of Jonah Lomu actor after she snubbed New Zealand". Rugby World. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- Packer, Marlie (6 September 2024). "Marlie Packer: Feaunati's England breakthrough is a huge moment for women's rugby". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Morgan, Charlie (5 September 2024). "Maddie 'The Baddie' Feaunati: I was five when I saw Marlie Packer play – now she's my captain". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- "Maddie Feaunati: Exeter sign New Zealand-based flanker". BBC Sport. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Feaunati sisters sign up for next season". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Martyn (5 September 2024). "'Where I'm meant to be': Maddie 'The Baddy' Feaunati enjoying England homecoming". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Exeter Chiefs: England forward Maddie Feaunati signs new deal". BBC Sport. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Baldock, Andrew (5 September 2024). "England flanker Maddie Feaunati set for first Test start against France". www.independent.co.uk. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- "England flanker Maddie Feaunati set for first Test start against France". www.torbayweekly.co.uk. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "England Red Roses: Maddie Feaunati to make first Test start against France". www.skysports.com. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- "England v France: Flanker Maddie Feaunati makes first international start for Red Roses". BBC Sport. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- "Red Roses WXV 1 squad announced". www.englandrugby.com. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- "Sixteen Exeter Chiefs Women head to WXV". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
