Loughborough Lightning No.8 Haineala Lutui is relishing the step up in intensity in the opening Rounds of Premiership Women’s Rugby following the PWR Cup.
Lutui has had a sensational start to the 2025/26 campaign. After topping the league for carries (22) in Round 1 against Harlequins on her first start in the league, she stepped up once again, scoring two tries in Lightning’s 19-12 victory over Sale Sharks in Sunday’s Round 2 encounter at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The England age-grade international has previously been mightily impressive for the BUCS Super Rugby Loughborough side as well as having started in all four of Lightning’s PWR Cup fixtures.
“It’s definitely been a step up from the cup,” Lutui explained. “But I’ve enjoyed it, it’s really helped, with all the internationals coming back, and players like Sadia Kabeya learning from them. It’s really helped me push myself in training.
The 19-year-old crossed the whitewash twice in Lightning’s return to cinch Stadium for the first time in eight months, as well as impressing with another mammoth carry count of 20 across the 80 minutes.
“I think our defence in the first half was unreal,” the No.8 continued. “Everything that we’ve been working on with Rachel [Taylor] in training, we definitely applied it in the game.
“Going into the changing rooms, we definitely got more fired up in the second half, and just really brought that on in our attack and kept building on from that.
“I like having fun with it, I love carrying in a game. It’s been a step up from cup, going against bigger players, and I’ve been working on using my footwork in my carries, as well.
“It’s an unreal opportunity being able to play with the likes of Lucy Calladine, Carmela Morrall and Amelia Williams. We’re very close friends, we’re always on each other’s shoulders, it’s incredibly special.”
Lightning return once again to cinch Stadium on Sunday (9 November, kick-off: 2:30) as they host Exeter Chiefs.
Lutui said: “Chiefs is definitely going to be physical. Sale was very physical, but I think we’re definitely going to build on the performance we showed today.
“Going into training next week, we just need to keep stepping up and building from that.”
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