The Journey of Maddie Feaunati: A Rugby World Cup Star

When head coach John Mitchell informed Maddie Feaunati of her selection for England's Rugby World Cup squad, it was a moment of pure elation for the 23-year-old. "I was full of emotions and super speechless," she shared with BBC Sport. This marked a significant milestone in her whirlwind two-year journey, which saw her move back to England to join Exeter Chiefs in 2023 and make her England debut during the 2024 Six Nations.

A Rugby Legacy

Feaunati's love for rugby is deeply rooted in her family. Her father, Isaac Feaunati, a former Samoa international, played a pivotal role in her early exposure to the sport. "I grew up around it," she said. "It was so normal to me. I was literally born into the rugby world." Isaac, who also wore the number eight shirt, had a distinguished career in England, playing for clubs like London Irish, Rotherham, Leeds, and Bath, and representing Samoa at the 1999 World Cup.

Dual Heritage, One Passion

Born in Leeds to a Samoan father and a Kiwi mother, Feaunati had the unique opportunity to represent three different international sides. Despite her deep connections to Samoa and New Zealand, her heart was always with the Red Roses. "It was no brainer for me," she explained. "England was home to us for so long. To me, England rugby has done so much for me and my family."

Emotional Ties and Future Goals

Feaunati's World Cup call-up is a testament to her dedication and talent. She has already faced New Zealand twice in her career and will come up against Samoa in the World Cup pool stage. "Playing against the countries that mean so much to my family is emotional," she admitted. However, her commitment to England remains unwavering. "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."

Learning from the Best

With 17 caps to her name, Feaunati continues to learn from seasoned players like Alex Matthews and former England captain Sarah Hunter, who is now the defense coach for the Red Roses. "I just chew her ear off daily," Feaunati joked. "She's got loads and loads of experience. Alex as well, they're so open to helping me, which I just love, it's really cool."

A Surreal Moment

As she prepares for her first World Cup, Feaunati reflects on her journey with a sense of surrealism. "It was never 'I'm gonna get there'," she said. "It was more just a goal that I just slowly started ticking off. But as soon as Mitch said those words, I was really like, 'OK, I'm in it now'." Her parents, who will be flying in from New Zealand, are fully behind her. "They're 100% backing the Red Roses," she says with a laugh.

A Special Group

Feaunati is determined to make the most of this opportunity. "I just want to keep being the player I am, just keep being fearless is really what I'm going after," she stated. She also draws inspiration from the 2014 World Cup-winning team. "We talked to the girls that won the 2014 one and they just want us to have that feeling. It would be super cool to do it with this bunch of girls because it's a special group."

Maddie Feaunati's journey is a testament to her resilience, talent, and deep-rooted passion for rugby. As she steps onto the World Cup stage, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of her family, her team, and her nation.