LIANA MIKAELE-TU’U

Position
Loose Forward

Blues debut
2021 v Chiefs

Born
02/03/2002

Province
Auckland

Liana Mikaele Tu’u is a fearless loose forward who plays with power and strength on both sides of the ball.  

She made an instant name for herself in her Farah Palmer Cup debut for Hawkes Bay while still at school at Hastings’ Girls High School and it wasn’t long before she was selected in the Black Ferns for the Northern Tour in 2021 at just 19 years of age.   

Following her sharp rise, Mikaele-Tu’u was named nib Blues ‘Player of the Year’ for the inaugural Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season in 2022.  

She continued to impress in 2023 and was part of the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad held in New Zealand, where she produced some dominant performances.   

Liana missed the start of the 2024 Aupiki campaign through injury but made up for lost time with some hearty performances in the second half of the season. Fans will recall seeing her do an interview just moments after Grand Final victory on Eden Park with a prominent black eye, demonstrating her committed and fearless approach.  

Mikaele Tu’a is a key leader within the nib Blues, she’s played every game for the team since Aupiki’s inception and returns in 2025 as a player fans should absolutely keep their eye on.