Liana Mikaele-Tu’u made her debut in the
Farah Palmer Cup for Hawke’s Bay while
still at Hastings Girls High School in 2019.
She first played rugby when she was in
Year 11, the same year her high school,
Hastings Girls’, formed a First XV and was
coached by legendary Black Ferns halfback
Emma Jensen.
As a teenager, she moved to Auckland
for university and continued to rise in
the ranks. After just nine games for the
Auckland Storm she was selected by the
Black Ferns for the 2021 Northern Tour.
She came off the bench in the Black Ferns’
100th test against England and went on
to start the remaining three Tests on tour,
earning praise for her grit, athleticism. She
was also nominated Black Ferns Player of
the Year.
Mikaele-Tu’u was part of the Black Ferns
Rugby World Cup 2021 squad, where she
was a constant feature in the starting
line-up, producing some dominant
performances.
In Oct 2025 she joined Harlequins women
Career
 |
New Zealand Women No 5 Lock |
2021 - present |
 |
Harlequins Women Openside Flanker |
2025 - present |
 |
Blues Women No 4 Lock |
2022 - 2025 |
