Charmaine McMenamin

BIOGRAPHY

CHARMAINE McMENAMIN is an integral part of the Black Ferns’ loose forward trio.

The powerful Auckland Storm player made her first-class debut for Hawke’s Bay back in 2009, still in her teens, before shifting to Auckland, from where she has racked up 60 caps since 2011 and won several national provincial titles, as well as crossing for 15 tries.

Her first Test for the Black Ferns came in 2013 against England. After a three-year hiatus from the team, she returned with strong form in 2016.  

McMenamin, who can play all three loose positions with equal facility, was principally used at No 8 and No 6 by the Black Ferns in 2017-19. She ran out at blindside flanker in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup final in Ireland.  

Her breakthrough international year came in 2019, when she started all six Tests for the Black Ferns, carrying with great power and scoring three tries in the two Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy matches against the Australian Wallaroos. Her reward was to be crowned the Black Ferns Player of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby awards, while she was also adjudged Women’s Player of the Year by the respected 2020 Rugby Almanack.

A go-to lineout presence, McMenamin’s sound work ethic makes her a valuable asset in the collisions and phase play.  

McMenamin also played international rugby league for the Kiwi Ferns in 2012 and was a member of the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup 2021 winning squad.

IWI: Ngāti Porou