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.
| Date of birth | 18 May 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Leeds, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life
editFeaunati was born in Leeds, England before moving to New Zealand as a nine year old, she later attended St Mary's College in Wellington.[1] She played netball, and rugby alongside her three sisters.[1] 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.[2][3]
She has a degree in digital marketing.[4]
Rugby career
editFeaunati played provincially for Otago Spirit and Wellington Pride in the Farah Palmer Cup.[1][4] She has also played for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.[4][5]
She made her Chiefs debut against Leicester Tigers in the Allianz Cup and made her first league start against Ealing Trailfinders in January 2024.[6][7] She and younger sister, Zara, signed a new contract with Chiefs for next season.[6][8]
Feaunati made her test debut for England against Italy in the 2024 Six Nations on 24 March.[1][8] She made five appearances off the bench during the tournament.[9][10] She was also qualified to play for Samoa and New Zealand.[1][7] She got her first start for the Red Roses in the September test against France.[11][12] She was brought in as a replacement for the injured, Sadia Kabeya.[11][9]
Feaunati was confirmed as a member of England's 30-player squad for the 2024 WXV 1 tournament that is held in Canada.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b "Feaunati sisters sign up for next season". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b "Exeter Chiefs: England forward Maddie Feaunati signs new deal". BBC Sport. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b "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.
External links
edit- Maddie Feaunati at Exeter Chiefs
- Maddie Feaunati at England Rugby