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Liana Mikaele-Tu’u: 'In the Black Ferns, there is no one left behind and always one more job to do'
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u was retrospectively cited and suspended for two games after Auckland’s 25-8 Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) win over Waikato on August 20.
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The Black Ferns loose forward made head contact with an opponent and was consigned to the sidelines for a fortnight.
It’s hardly surprising then that Mikaele-Tu’u burst out the gates like a caged animal in Auckland’s 39-27 upset of Canterbury in the Premiership final in Christchurch on September 9.
Canterbury have won 25 more FPC games than the Storm since 2017 but the defending champions were outclassed by the passionate and vibrant visitors in the decider.
“I had something to prove. I love playing for the Storm and it meant heaps to finish the season on a high note after some self-reflection,” Mikaele-Tu’u told RugbyPass.
“We had a lot of young girls at the start of the season, and it took time for us to come together and play free. Some of the girls are only in high school but you’ve got to let them know they’re there for a reason.
“Our fullback Braxton Sorenson-McGee is only 16. She’s from a league background and I think she’s got an NRL contract already. A lot of her skills are transferable, and her calmness is amazing.
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“Angelica Mekemeke Vahai, she’s deceptive, that girl. The number of times I’ve been jogging by her and she’s bloody run ten metres past me is ridiculous.”
It’s easy to forget that Mikaele-Tu’u is only 21 herself. Cheerful, intelligent, and driven she’s featured in 14 of the Black Ferns last 19 Test matches.
In June and July, she helped the Black Ferns win the Pacific Four Series with victories against Australia (50-0), Canada (52-21) and USA (39-17). Canada proved the toughest opponent for Mikaele-Tu’u.
“That number eight [Sophie de Goode] is amazing. She can do just about everything. That was quite a challenging match. The growth from last year by other countries has been huge and will continue with greater investment.”
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Struggles against the USA were self-inflicted. Itiana Hohaia became the first Black Fern to be sent off in a Test match after two minutes. Mikaele-Tu’u followed her to the sin bin half an hour later but when she returned, she scored a try and performed strongly.
“That was a bit wild, but we didn’t panic. In Black Ferns, we do a lot of work with resets. That is how we stick to the game plan after mistakes or the unexpected. We do ‘what if’ sessions. What happens when we’re twenty points down or twenty points ahead? What do we do if we lose a player or the weather changes,” Mikaele-Tu’u said.
What is the worst-case scenario?
“Oh my gosh. What if we lost the best player in the world to a red card? Ruahei Demant, I’m just saying what everyone is thinking. Maybe I’d have to replace Lu at first five,” Mikaele-Tu’u said with a laugh.
WXV 1 comes to New Zealand next month with the Black Ferns due to face their World Cup semi-final opponents France (October 21), Wales (October 28), and final opponents England (November 4). Mikaele-Tu’u started four matches at the World Cup in 2022. Unfortunately, her tournament ended at halftime in the epic 25-24 semi-final victory over France.
“I broke my thumb a minute before halftime. That was upsetting. At halftime, we tried to strap it. I was able to move the thumb, but the tape wouldn’t stay intact so the doctor ruled me out,” Mikaele-Tu’u explained.
“I think I had a heart attack of emotions in the second half. When Caroline Drouin lined up that penalty, I looked across the bench and a lot of the girls had their heads in their hands, backs turned, and couldn’t watch. No matter what happened with that kick there was no way we were going to lose that game.
“France is one of the best teams in the world and quite hard to plan for because their style is out of it, very fast, different structures, physical.
“Personally, the final week was tough but I’m an optimistic person and I still had a job to do and that was to get around the girls who were playing and support them as much as I could. In the Black Ferns, there is no one left behind and always one more job to do. You don’t stop until the final whistle.”
England were conquered 34-31 in the final but since having their word record 30-Test win streak stopped by the Black Ferns they’ve won another Six Nations Grand Slam which included a 38-33 win over France at Twickenham in front of a world record crowd for a women’s international of 58,498.
Mikaele-Tu’u hasn’t focused too much on England with a Laurie O’Reilly Cup Test against Australia in Hamilton next Saturday.
However, she’s never played a winning match against the English. Her Test debut was in the Black Ferns 100th – a heavy 12-43 defeat in Exeter.
Liane is the sister of Highlanders and Hawke’s Bay No.8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u. They are the first brother-sister pair to be part of New Zealand World Cup-winning squads. In 2017 Marino helped the New Zealand Under 20’s win the World Championship in Georgia.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments