Auckland Storm captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili has been named as one of three nominess for the World Rugby Women’s Player of the year.

Fa’amausili, who also captains the Black Ferns, was the leading try scorer in the Farah Palmer Cup in 2016 and has been in exceptional form in both the blue and white hoops, and the black jersey.

The shortlist was selected by independent panel featuring former internationals and members of the media.

The women's panel features four former players, three of them captains in Fiona Coghlan, Marie-Alice Beauxis and RWC Sevens 2009 winner Cheryl McAfee. Two-time Women's Rugby World Cup winner Melodie Robinson completes the panel with The Sunday Times journalist Stephen Jones.

"It is testament to the current strength of the men's and women's 15s game that there was so much competition for these prestigious awards," said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont.

"With Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 just around the corner it is great to see such strong competition for the women's award. Hunter, Fa'amausili and Mignot have been exceptional and thoroughly deserve their place on the shortlist.”

Fa’amausili’s nomination said;

"One of the Black Ferns' most experienced and reliable players with 36 caps to her name since her debut against Australia in 2002, Fiao'o Fa'amausili is a dynamic hooker who leads by example and inspires those around her. A physical force in the pack, the 36-year-old is a three-time Women's Rugby World Cup winner who led New Zealand to a series win over Australia last month, scoring two tries in the opening 67-3 win at Eden Park."

The nominees for World Rugby Women's Player of the Year 2016 are:Fiao'o Fa'amausili (New Zealand), Sarah Hunter (England) and Gaëlle Mignot (France).