Finally a Black Fern: Mia Anderson's journey to Test rugby

Mia Anderson is finally a Black Fern. The loose forward has won 27 of her 32 Farah Palmer Cup games for Waikato, pocketing the last two Premiership titles.

With Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki, she has played in nine of their 15 all-time victories and has quickly graduated from a rookie to veteran status.

In April’s Pacific Four Series, she came off the bench three times in the Black Ferns wins against the USA Women’s Eagles [48-15], Canada [36-14] and Australia’s Wallaroos [40-5]. Her introduction to international rugby in Sacramento was “a bit of a shambles”.

“Sacramento, it’s a different place,” Anderson laughed with RugbyPass. “America is so big. We were on the outskirts.

“That was a game we kept mucking up. Despite the storm, we got there in the end. I came on after 19 minutes, which was earlier than expected. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u got a yellow card. Then we had a red card, so I had to go on again, only to come off three minutes later.

“Being a reserve can be niggly because the unexpected happens. I try to bring some energy, pick my mates up and do my role. If you do your role right, then there is less to worry about.”

Abrasive, versatile and consistent, Anderson, also adept in the lineouts, added another 29 minutes against Canada and Australia. The Canada victory in Kansas City was especially satisfying.

“The build-up to that game was pretty intense with several of the girls keen for some revenge after the World Cup,” Anderson said.

“The starters did a great job in wearing them down and bending their defence. When I came on, I was able to express myself. Still, the pace and physicality of that game were unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”

Anderson will have to step up if Chiefs Manawa want to improve on their third-place finish in Super Rugby Aupiki, starting next month. After a championship win in 2022 and runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024, Manawa was third in 2025 with a three-win, three-loss record. Their 2026 squad is youthful, with 13 of the 33 players making their debuts.

Black Ferns Ruby Tui, Kelly Brazier [now assistant coach], Awhina Tangen-Wainohu [retired], Tayana Kalounivale [Australia] and Luka Connor, record try scorer with 17 in 15 games, have all departed.

“A lot has changed in the last two years. I’ve gone from an amateur at university to a full-time player,” Anderson observed.

“That shift has been amazing, being able to concentrate exclusively on rugby without distraction. It did take me a while to get back to full fitness after my baby boy Kairewa was born. He’s three now and actually sleeps.

“Baby was a surprise, a bump in the road. I thought it would be hard, but it turned out amazing. It puts life in perspective and teaches you compassion and responsibility.

“Our squad is awesome. Many are from the Waikato FPC team. They’re a special group of girls who work hard. Lela Ieremia, Lonita Ngalu-Lavemei, Chyann Kaitapu and Kaea Nepia are just some to watch.

“It’s great to have Kelly Brazier on board as an assistant coach with Nathan White. She’s a legend with so much Mana, knowledge and experience. Nathan played for Ireland.”

Carys Dallinger [Australia], Shoshanah Seumanutafa [Canada] and Black Ferns Sevens playmaker Manaia Nuku are other noteworthy additions. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, who was in imposing form for the Black Ferns in the Pacific Four Series, is another huge asset.

”She’s bigger, stronger and faster than me,” Anderson acclaimed. “It’s amazing what she’s done in a short time. She’s unstoppable.

One of four siblings, Anderson’s rugby career started at five playing with boys at the Opononi Rugby Football Club on the south side of Hokianga. Her parents have deep roots in Northland.

Her father, Mark, sold his Bridgestone tyre business in Kaikohe and now farms in Kerikeri. Mum Nicole is a board director with governance experience in health, energy, commercial and Iwi development.

“I went to a Kura Kaupapa and then Kerikeri High School, where I played heaps of sevens,” Anderson said. “We went to the Condor Nationals, which was awesome.

“In 2019, I was picked for Northland when they restarted in the Farah Palmer Cup. I was only 17 years old, but it was so special to be coached by two Black Ferns, Susan Dawson and Cheryl Waaka.”

Anderson played all seven matches for Northland that season, the Kauri achieving a respectable four wins.

She moved to Hamilton in 2020 to study business and sports science at the University of Waikato. When she walked into the same classroom as Waikato, All Black Sevens and Chiefs full-back Tepaea Cook-Savage, the chemistry was palpable. The pair had Kairewa, and Anderson became entrenched with Waikato.

In 2020, she played for Waikato, who lost to Canterbury 8-7 in the FPC final. In 2021, Waikato flipped that result, 22-20, and beat Canterbury 27-25 in the 2024 final and then 19-13 in the 2025 final. Anderson was Waikato’s captain last year.

She debuted for Chiefs Manawa in 2022 and played in the 2023 final, which was lost 33-31 to Matatu in Hamilton, with Renee Holmes scored a record 23 points. In 2024, the Chiefs surrendered an 18-5 lead to lose to the Blues 24-18 at Eden Park. In 2025, the Blues edged Matatu 26-19 in the final. Those two teams are the favourites to prosper in Aupiki 2026.

“The Canterbury and Matatu rivalry is intense,” Anderson said. “We are quite different culturally and in the way we play. There’s a lot of respect there.

“The Blues have the most Black Ferns and experience of winning Aupiki. They’re the team to beat. We’re working hard to create an exciting game plan and culture that works for us.”