Black Ferns captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her Services to Rugby in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Fa’amausili who works as a Detective in Counties Manukau for the New Zealand Police Force has competed in five Women’s Rugby World Cups, winning four of those, was surprised to receive the honour.
She was so concerned about keeping the secret that she didn’t even tell her mother.
The most capped Black Fern who has lead the side since 2012 was quick to turn the attention to her team-mates.
"I'm very thrilled and just looking back on it this honour is an acceptance for the team. The girls that have played before me alongside me they have played a massive part in this so I definitely take this for all of them and all their hard work."
The 37-year-old who did plan on retiring changed her mind after realising her body was in good shape and is keen to share her knowledge to help develop the younger players coming through in the newly contracted 2018 Black Ferns squad.
