Born and raised in Toowoomba, Queensland, Matt Faessler, enjoyed his best international season in 2024, playing nine Tests and becoming the first Australian hooker in history to cross for three tries in a match during the Wallabies’ 52-20 victory over Wales in Cardiff.
A product of Queensland’s Darling Downs and the USQ Saints, Faessler values the non-traditional pathway he took to earn his place in Super Rugby's professional ranks at 23.
He played for both Brothers in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup before a 2022 stint with Randwick in Sydney's Shute Shield competition.
He was brought back across the border to Ballymore in 2022 when the Reds needed to bolster their hooker stocks. He made his Super Rugby debut in the same year and quickly earned a reputation for a strong set piece and his work around the field.
One year later, he became Wallaby No. 969 when he made his Test debut against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
His maternal grandfather, Vince Bermingham, is Wallaby No. 288 and was a member of the first Australian side to win the Bledisloe Cup in 1934.
Faessler featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad in France and has been capped 14 times for the Wallabies so far and has represented the Reds on 47 occasions.
T.Z. March 2025
Career
 |
Queensland Country Hooker |
2019 - present |
 |
Queensland Reds Hooker |
2021 - present |
 |
Australia Hooker |
2023 - present |
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Australia U20's Hooker |
2018 - 2019 |
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Australia A Hooker |
2022 - 2023 |
