Haineala Lutui explained how she is relishing her first season in Premiership Women’s Rugby as Lightning prepare for their final fixture of the season against East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers this Sunday.
The 19-year-old Lightning forward has enjoyed a dream start in her first season in professional rugby, including, most recently, a nomination for the PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season award.
“It’s been an exciting season for me,” Lutui she said. “There have been a lot of step-ups going from my first season of the PWR straight into the senior Red Roses. I’ve taken a lot of learning from it, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.
“I’m very grateful to the Loughborough programme and all of the support I have received since being here; all of the coaches and facilities are world-class and have helped me grow as a player and develop and get better.
“I’ve had so many brilliant role models around me, like Sadia [Kabeya], Lilli [Ives Campion], just to name a couple. All of my teammates have been there to support me and learn from them, helping me to get better.
She made an impact as an 18-year-old in BUCS Super Rugby, allowing her to thrust into a Lightning squad for the final game of the 2024/25 season against Trailfinders – although her debut didn’t come until the PWR: The Cup block at the start of the current season.
She’s gone on to score three tries in 18 appearances so far this season, currently topping the league for carries with 234 and second for gain-line carries in the league behind teammate Alev Kelter. Those outstanding statistics have helped earn her a first senior Red Roses call-up and international cap in the Red Roses Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign.
“The Six Nations was definitely a step-up,” the 19-year-old continued. “But having people I knew around me helped me in the environment. You have to take every opportunity you’re given, and being able to play in that environment was outstanding. I loved the experience and took away a lot of learnings.
“Playing in front of that 77,000-strong crowd at the Allianz Stadium was an unbelievable experience so early in my career. It was so surreal and didn’t really hit me until I stepped onto the pitch. I was nervous, but as soon as I got my hands on the ball, I realised it’s just rugby and got into my groove.
“That back-row competition in the Red Roses squad was immense, but going in as a young player was awesome to learn off them, seeing how they improve themselves and trying to implement that into my game.
Lutui comes from a strong rugby pedigree with father Aleki having represented Tonga 38 times on the international stage as well as playing for both Worcester and Gloucester in the English Premiership.
“My dad is Tongan, and my mum is Samoan,” she continued. “They moved over here from New Zealand so to bring my culture to an England shirt and having my last name represented and representing my heritage meant a lot to me.”