Women’s Rugby World Cup: Maddie Feaunati on family and finding home

With 17 caps under her belt, Feaunati says she is learning every day from the England number eights who have worn the shirt before her.

Alex Matthews, 32, will be playing in her fourth World Cup, while former England captain Sarah Hunter is now the defence coach for the Red Roses.

“I just chew her [Hunter’s] ear off daily, which I’m not sure if she loves, but I just ask her heaps of questions,” said Feaunati.

“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.”

Unlike Hunter and Matthews, Feaunati has not felt the pain of England’s recent record in World Cups. England have lost five of the past six finals, and last tasted success in 2014.

She admits the fact she is about to play in her first World Cup is a ‘surreal’ moment but one she is taking in her stride.

“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 [head coach Mitchell] said those words, I was really like, ‘OK, I’m in it now’.

“I just want to keep being the player I am, just keep being fearless is really what I’m going after.

“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.”

As for her parents, who will be flying to England from New Zealand for the World Cup, will there be any split allegiances when it comes to who they will be supporting?

“They’re 100% backing the Red Roses,” she says laughing. “My whole family is behind us all over the world.”