1
How Mikaele-Tu'u is sharpening reputation as one of world’s best at Quins
1
{{item.n}}
How Mikaele-Tu'u is sharpening reputation as one of world’s best at Quins
By Adam Julian
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u has reinforced her reputation as one of the world’s leading loose forwards for Harlequins in PWR.
The 35-Test Black Fern ranks among the top ten players for most carries and the top 20 for most tackles.
Furthermore, the 23-year-old has become a reliable lineout target, which was not previously part of her repertoire, nor was self-preservation. The PWR is twice as long as Super Rugby Aupiki, and Mikaele-Tu’u admits she has needed time to adapt to the greater workload.
VIDEO
“I’m used to going hard all the time. Sometimes we only have one contact drill a week because we’re too sore to do contact the whole time,” Mikaele-Tu’u explained. “Still, I find ways to get my contact in. I love contact. I’ve had to dial it down,” she laughed.
With five matches left in the regular season, Harlequins are fourth in the standings with five wins, four defeats, and a dramatic 38-38 draw against Exeter Chiefs on February 8th.
In that match, England international Lagi Tuima scored a late try to give Harlequins a share of the points. Ten minutes earlier, Mikaele-Tu’u had powered over for a try of her own as part of the late flurry.
Slow starts have been a habit for Quins this season, but when they put it together, their best is impressive.
“I came on after 42 minutes. I was more sore after that game than after a whole 80 minutes of other games. We played in their 22 for the last ten minutes, taps, picks and goes, forwards in the trenches. It was an amazing comeback,” Mikaele-Tu’u observed.
“I’m loving our loose forward trio because we’re all quite different. Alex Callender is mongrel to the core, crazy, and that’s perfect for a flanker. Aoife Wafer has become one of my closest friends. She’s the best in the world, runs it straight, all gas, no breaks and happy to share knowledge.”
Irish international Wafer was on fire during Harlequins’ most recent match. Despite 33 carries, a try, and four turnovers against unbeaten Gloucester-Hartpury, she couldn’t prevent her side from going down 45-21. Mikaele-Tu’u also scored a try and helped execute a perfect 100% lineout success rate while maintaining the league’s best season-long success rate (85.8%).
“Gloucester are a drilled side. Their set piece was sharp, and they have the fastest ruck speeds of any team, making them very difficult to stop. Saracens thrashed us early in the season. I feel like next time will be different because we won’t be caught on the hop,” Mikaele-Tu’u said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the emphasis on set piece here. The weather is not too flash, so nailing that is important. Lineout repetition has grown my game. Back home, I’ve only run off lineouts. Here I’m actually a jumper and sometimes a caller.
“In New Zealand, we play very expansively. It’s a high-skill, high-risk, possession game. It’s been fascinating observing how kick strategies are balanced against all-out attack.”
More weapons in the Harlequins’ arsenal will make them a compelling prospect in the playoffs. Though they have surrendered 17 yellow cards in ten games and have not beaten the three teams above them in the table, they have scored 50 tries and boast the biggest star in English women’s rugby right now, Ellie Kildunne.
“Ellie is Ellie to us. She’s very chill. We don’t see much of her other media work, and she doesn’t boast about it, which I respect. She’s easy to play with if we give her space,” Mikaele-Tu’u said.
Despite the Black Ferns crashing out of Rugby World Cup 2025 with a 34-19 defeat to Canada in the semi-finals, Mikaele-Tu’u had a good individual tournament, was named player of the match in the Black Ferns‘ earlier 54-8 group victory against Spain in York and ranked among the top 20 players in the tournament for tackles and offloads.
The 2024 Black Ferns Player of the Year is looking forward to working with new national coach Whitney Hansen as the Black Ferns prepare for a historic ANZAC Day test against Australia, the Pacific Four and the WXV Global Series, plus a three-match Test series in New Zealand against France in October.
“I worked with Whitney during the 2022 Rugby World Cup. Like Alan Bunting, she’s similar in that she has a deep care for the players, a people-first mentality.
“She’s very innovative, open to player feedback and lots of discussion. She’s always looking for the modern edge. She’s a positive person. I’m looking forward to what she brings to our game and our culture.”
Watch all the upcoming SVNS action for FREE on RPTV!
*Available live in select territories
