Layla Sae makes a break for the Black Ferns. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Black Ferns loose forwards Layla Sae and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u have signed short-term contracts with English club Harlequins.
The pair will leave in coming weeks to take up deals with the powerful Premiership Women's Rugby outfit, who have just kicked off their campaign.
They will both return to New Zealand in late March ahead of the Black Ferns' Pacific Four test campaign, with about three months still play in the English competition - comfortably the world's best domestic league.
They join two other World Cup Black Ferns who have signed contracts with England after forwards Georgia Ponsonby and Alana Borland (nee Bremner) who in August announced deals with another London-based club - Trailfinders Women.
The signing of Sae and Mikaele-Tu'u continues a relationship between New Zealand Rugby and Harlequins which began in 2018, involving player and coaching development, along with some knowledge sharing.
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u of Black Ferns during the match against Australia Walloroos, Pacific Four Series and Laurie O’Reily Cup match at North Harbour Stadium, on 25 May, 2024. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga
Their arrival has been greet effusively by coach Andy Rhys Jones, who steered Harlequins to the semi-finals last season.
"Layla and Liana are two world-class talents and we know that they will add a lot to our environment," he said.
"We're also confident that this collaboration will allow both players to thrive in a new environment too and that they will be able to continue to develop as players, as they experience rugby in the northern hemisphere for the first time."
Blues Women standout Mikaele-Tu'u has played 35 tests while Hurricanes Poua powerhouse Sae has won 19 caps.
NZ Rugby head of women's high performance, Hannah Porter, welcomed the move.
"Beyond rugby, it's a special chance for them to experience life in a new country and continue to grow as both athletes and people," she said.
"We are fortunate to have such a positive relationship with Harlequins. This enables valuable opportunities for our players to step into different environments and new styles of rugby to further develop their game before returning to New Zealand in time for the Black Ferns season and Super Rugby Aupiki later in 2026."
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