"I still run out with a smile on my face because I still love the game. The black jersey means everything. To me, it has layers, layers of my club jersey (she is one of 31 Black Ferns out of Auckland's Marist club) and my province (Auckland Storm, for whom she scored 10 tries last season and has 97 games under her belt). So you are not just running out with these girls, you are running out with all the other players and coaches. From the first season to the 15th, it's still a buzzy feeling. I know the hardships they go through and the hurt and the early morning trainings," she says.
But not one to take anything for granted, Fa'amausili didn't register her leave application with the police force until she was confirmed in the team. It won't be a problem for the south Auckland policewoman. Two weeks now and three weeks in August.
The team has been in camp since Sunday. They would normally have played by now, so Canada may feel the early contact.
"We're amping for that contact. We've been taking it out on each other! But this is the best preparation we could have coming to a World Cup. Canada, Australia and England will be bringing their A games."
Fa'amausili, at 36, brought her A game last season, her lineout throwing and work around the park of such a high standard that she was nominee for World Rugby's women's player of the year.
In 2017, she is in top shape and jokes that she knows all the shortcuts on the field now. But she doesn't take many of those shortcuts.
"My motto is: you go hard or you go home!"
Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore has seen, since 2015, the mana she commands, and the toughness she brings to her work, though, in truth, she has been world-class for many years.
"She's a strong leader and works well in engaging the others around her. She certainly leads from the front and still has a really good turn of pace. She's just tough and brings a level of calm when we come under pressure," Moore says.
Canada and New Zealand are in Pool A of the WRWC in August, so tomorrow's clash will establish bragging rights.
Missing via injury for Canada is Andrea Burk, who struck the winning conversion for Ardmore-Marist against College Rifles in last year's Auckland women's premier club final.
The match kicks off at 5pm from Westpac Stadium.
Australia's Wallaroos will face England at 12.30pm tomorrow in Porirua.
*Theresa Fitzpatrick, should she take the field for her debut off the bench for the Black Ferns, will be the 100th Ponsonby club player, male or female, to be selected for a full 15s international team. Rieko Ioane was the 99th last year and the list goes back to Dave Gallaher in 1903.
Black Ferns: Selica Winiata, Portia Woodman, Stacey Waaka, Kelly Brazier, Renee Wickliffe, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Kendra Cocksedge, Aroha Savage, Sarah Goss, Rawinia Everitt, Charmaine Smith, Eloise Blackwell, Aleisha Nelson, Fiao'o Fa'amausili (c), Pip Love
Reserves: Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Toka Natua, Aldora Itunu, Linda Itunu, Lesley Ketu, Kristina Sue, Honey Hireme, Theresa Fitzpatrick
Canada: Julianne Zussman, Magali Harvey, Brittany Waters, Amanda Thornborough, Elissa Alarie, Emily Belchos, Chelsea Guthrie, Kelly Russell (c), Karen Paquin, Jacey Grusnick, Kayla Mack, Tyson Beukeboom, DaLeaka Menin, Laura Russell, Carolyn McEwen
Reserves: Jane Kirby, Brittany Kasil, Olivia DeMarchant, Cindy Nelles, Barbara Mervin, Lori Josephson, Alex Tessier, Frederique Rajotte
