'It took me by shock': How Haineala Lutui handled her Red Roses debut

The last 12 months have been something of a dream for 19-year-old Haineala Lutui. It was only last July she got her first England U20s cap.

Nine months later she ran out for her first senior cap for the Red Roses in England’s 33-12 disposal of Ireland in the opening round of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

In her breakout season in Premiership Women’s Rugby for Loughborough Lightning, the young back-row leads the PWR stats table as a top carrier. This led to getting noticed by Red Roses head coach John Mitchell and earned herself an international call-up. Currently the 19-year-old is the second-youngest player in the squad this Women’s Six Nations.

“I did not expect it at all,” Lutui told RugbyPass about her international selection. “I was quite shocked that I was in. I kind of had it in my head that I’m still quite a young player, so still have a lot more time to develop. So when I did get the call-up was quite shocked but really excited.

“It’s definitely been crazy. I would have never expected it to have gone this way. But I feel like going into this season my main priorities as a player were to just keep working hard and just keep improving as a player. I feel like all the hard work’s really paid off.”

Lutui made her debut from the bench. It came prematurely as starting lock Morwenna Talling went down in the 43rd minute with a leg injury which Mitchell later confirmed would rule the Sale Sharks forward out of the remainder of the tournament. Although she was surprised Lutui was ready to step in and step up.

“Being on the bench you have to be prepared for anything that can happen,” she said. “Anyone could go down in the first minute, but it was so sad to see Mos [Talling]. I was quite nervous leading up to it. It took me by shock but as soon as I got into the game and touched the ball, I felt fine.”

It shows a level of calibre and class from such a young player to step into a crisis situation. Particularly through what immediately appeared to be a significant injury to a key position.

Lutui was strengthened by the fact that she was joining Loughborough Lightning teammates Lilli Ives Campion in the second row for the remainder of the game. Bolstered also by her PWR teammate Sadia Kabeya in the back-row.

Added to this is the composure Lutui exhibited playing on debut in front of 77,120 fans. A new tournament record crowd and something that PWR could not have been able to prepare her for.

“I knew there 77,000 people there, but I didn’t know what it would actually feel like,” Lutui said. “It was a crazy experience but I really enjoyed it.

“And seeing loads of other younger girls watching the game and just remembering myself when I was younger looking up to Red Roses players and wanting to be on that pitch. I think as well being able to inspire younger girls to play rugby. It’s very special.

“One of the memories that’s definitely stuck with me and I’m still trying to process was actually stepping off the coach. There were just fans everywhere. It was so loud. But it was really nice to see other younger girls who had come to watch and just being able to inspire them as well.

“I remember seeing myself as one of those younger kids that would always look up to the Red Roses. So I think stepping off that pitch and seeing all the fans, it was definitely a moment that I’ll remember forever.”

Lutui was also able to celebrate her advent into the England squad as a British Polynesian. In her shirt presentation leading up to Saturday’s match, Red Roses teammates presented her with handmade Kahoa Lole.

“Receiving all the Lole’s – I got my first cap presentation and all the girls made some for me at my shirt pres,” Lutui smiled.

“That actually meant a lot to me because being able to represent your country and representing my family. My Mum is half Samoan and Dad is Tongan and most of my family: my Nan, my aunties, my uncles, my literal 1000s of cousins – they all live in New Zealand. So it meant a lot for me to remember that and represent them and their culture.

“I have younger sisters as well so being able to be a role model for my younger sisters or my younger cousins, as well as all the other younger girls in the stadium. It means a lot.”

Lutui’s rugby heritage is strong. Her father, Aleki, represented and captained Tonga and played professionally in the UK until as recently as 2022. His retirement is still disputed.

There is a strikingly similar parallel to fellow Red Rose forward Maddie Feaunati whose father Isaac Feaunati represented Samoa in the same era and played professionally in the UK until 2008. Lutui believes that some of these inherited abilities are what have allowed her to thrive.

“He [Aleki] loves to carry as well,” she chuckled. “He was quite powerful as a player. So I feel like as well, growing up, he was always the one who coached me quite a lot and I’d say he’s a fiery player with a fiery personality. And I love to channel that into me, and how I play.”

After a dream start to the tournament, with a record crowd and a win under her belt, Lutui is still focused on the tournament ahead.

“I’d love to start a game. That would be my goal going into the next games. But I think as well just like keeping my feet on the ground, just keep working hard and just keep improving on my own game.”