MADDIE FEAUNATI, the real-life daughter of the actor who played Jonah Lomu in Hollywood blockbuster Invictus, has been called up to England’s Women’s Six Nations squad.
Ex-Bath and Samoa No8 Zak Feaunati played the role of the iconic New Zealand rugby star in the 2009 film.
Maddie Feaunati has been called up to the England squadRex
The Exeter Chiefs star rejected New Zealand to represent EnglandRex
HandoutZak Feaunati, right, played Jonah Lomu in the 2009 film Invictus[/caption]
Now Zak’s daughter, Maddie, 21, has begun to make a name for herself as a back-row forward.
The young talent, who was born in England while her dad played for Leeds Tykes, has secured a place in John Mitchell’s 35-woman squad for their opening game against Italy on March 24.
And the Red Roses boss confirmed Feaunati turned down New Zealand to play for England.
Mitchell said: “I think she was also offered a New Zealand Ferns contract, but she turned that down to play for the Red Roses.
“I just saw this really naturally gifted, carrying footballer, who’s athletic, who’s young, who can also be a very, very good line-out jumper.”
Feaunati made her Exeter Chiefs debut this season and has now chosen England over her father’s home country.
Speaking to Exeter Chiefs about returning to the country of her birth, she said: “I always wanted to come back to England.
“When Susie [Appleby, Exeter Chiefs Women manager] contacted me, it felt like a sign and an opportunity to come and get some experience in a place I would call home.
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Red Roses squad
Here is England’s 35-woman squad in full:
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 34 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 3 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 72 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 14 caps)
Lizzie Hanlon (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 99 caps)
Connie Powell (Harlequins, 14 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 25 caps)
Sophie Bridger (Saracens, 2 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 33 caps)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 40 caps)
Sydney Gregson (Saracens, 3 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 46 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 18 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 38 caps)
Vicky Laflin (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 16 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 108 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 6 caps)
“It’s an opportunity to grow my game and learn under a different structure and make some good connections with new people.”
England have won each of the last five Women’s Six Nations.
They have not lost in the competition since France beat them 18-17 in March 2018.
New Zealand legend Lomu died at the age of 40 in 2015PA:Empics Sport