Liana Mikaele-Tu'u

Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (born 2 March 2002) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays for the Black Ferns internationally and was a member of their 2021 Rugby World Cup champion squad. She also plays for Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. She played for Hawke's Bay previously before moving to Auckland.

Liana Mikaele-Tu'u
Date of birth (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002
Place of birthHastings, New Zealand
Height1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb)
SchoolHastings Girls' High School
Notable relative(s)Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward, number 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Hawke's Bay 6 (10)
2020– Auckland 9 (10)
Correct as of 2 May 2022
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–Present Blues Women 3 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– New Zealand 6 (0)
Correct as of 19 June 2022
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Women's rugby union
Rugby World Cup
Gold medal – first place2021 New ZealandTeam competition

Rugby career

Mikaele-Tu’u attended Hastings Girls High School and debuted for Hawke's Bay in the Farah Palmer Cup in 2019.[1] She moved to Auckland in 2020 to study physiotherapy at university and currently plays for Auckland.[1]

2021

Mikaele-Tu'u played for the Blues against the Chiefs in the first-ever women's Super Rugby match in New Zealand on 1 May 2021.[2][3]

Mikaele-Tu'u made her Black Ferns test debut against England in Exeter on 31 October.[4][5][6] On 3 November, She was named in the Blues squad for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition.[7][8]

2022

Mikaele-Tu'u was named in the Blues starting line up for their first game against Matatū, they won 21–10.[9][10] She also started in their 0–35 thrashing by the Chiefs Manawa in the final round.[11][12]

Mikaele-Tu’u was named in the Black Ferns squad for the 2022 Pacific Four Series.[13] She made the team once again for the deferred 2021 Rugby World Cup that was hosted by New Zealand.[14][15] She scored a try for the Black Ferns as they thrashed Scotland 57–0 in their final pool game.[16][17]

2023

In July, she made the starting line up in the Black Ferns 21–52 victory over Canada at the Pacific Four Series in Ottawa.[18][19]

Personal life

Her brother is Highlanders loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.

References
  1. McFadden, Suzanne (18 October 2021). "Teen 'angel' Liana Mikaele-Tu'u about to don her Black Fern wings". Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. "nib BLUES WOMEN'S TEAM EXCITED FOR HISTORIC CLASH". Blues Rugby. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  3. "Women's Super Rugby Preview: Blues v Chiefs (2021)". allblacks.com. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  4. Pearson, Joseph (19 November 2021). "Black Ferns rookies, best mates Maia Roos and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u shine on first tour". Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  5. "Tears as Black Ferns name nine debutants for England Test". 1 News. 30 October 2021. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  6. Ekin, Kim (30 October 2021). "Black Ferns name nine debutants for long-awaited 100th test". www.rugbypass.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  7. "nib Blues Super Rugby Aupiki 2022 Squad". Blues Rugby. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  8. "Exciting nib Blues Super Rugby Aupiki Squad Announced". Blues Rugby. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  9. "Long wait over as nib Blues set for Sky Super Rugby Aupiki debut". superrugby.co.nz. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  10. Burnes, Campbell (15 March 2022). "Blues full of merit in downing Matatū". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  11. "Experienced pair return for key clash for nib Blues". superrugby.co.nz. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  12. Burnes, Campbell (20 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa crowned Sky Super Rugby Aupiki champs". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  13. "31-strong Black Ferns squad named for home June Test series". allblacks.com. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  14. "Black Ferns squad locked in for Rugby World Cup". allblacks.com. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  15. "Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad named". RNZ. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  16. Burnes, Campbell (22 October 2022). "Black Ferns top Pool A in style". allblacks.com. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  17. Pearson, Joseph (22 October 2022). "Black Ferns lift physical intensity to beat Scotland, finishing Rugby World Cup pool stage on a high". Stuff. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  18. "Black Ferns fly past Canada in front of record crowd in Ottawa". Americas Rugby News. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  19. Burnes, Campbell (9 July 2023). "Black Ferns secure WXV1 qualification with Ottawa victory". allblacks.com. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
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