Not only is she returning from an ACL injury suffered last year and surprising herself with a start against England, but she was also the instigator of the now famous hug with King Charles during the side's reception at Buckingham Palace.
She explained her request for a hug from King Charles during their reception at Buckingham Palace and said it was Kiwi behaviour to say hi with hugs, not handshakes.
"It was pretty normal for me, but not for the King.
"If anything, I felt like he needed the hug more than me, but I didn't see his reaction until I saw the footage. It was wholesome, and it was a great hug."
She said they did not dream about going to Buckingham Palace because they didn't think they were in that space.
"So, then for us to turn up yesterday and ride that bus in through the gates was incredible. From a lot of the expressions on the girls' faces, we were in awe. An incredible experience."
Coach Allan Bunting said the hug, which has since gone viral on social media, reflected the team's attitude and personality.
"They feel pretty comfortable within themselves, and they don't change. They are who they are no matter where they go.
"There were some strict rules laid out to us, but when humans meet humans, and the King, he was amazing.
"Once he connected with our ladies, it was just a connection, a genuine connection between people and it was special."
Leti-l'iga said she is looking forward to being back in the international game.
"It's very exciting, especially being my first game back and playing at Twickenham, I've never played there."
Having Hannah King starting at first five-eighths with Ruahei Demant outside her was a point of difference for the game, especially against England, who haven't seen the dual playmaker role from the Black Ferns before.
Leti-l'iga said King was developing in the role, but she was strong-minded, and her involvement would give the side kicking options all over the field.
"It's awesome to have a 10 and 12 that can nudge the ball well.
"This is the year we got to a space where we're trying to learn more about a kicking game. We implemented it a bit too much at the front of the year and forgot how we played, which is running, exciting rugby.
"A couple of months have gone past and we have found the balance of having a kicking game but also not losing our running flair."
She said she had targeted the tour during her recovery, and it was a bonus to have a start in the England Test as her first game back. Making the 23 had been her goal.
"We have so much depth in our outside backs, we could have gone with whoever and they would have done the job as well. I'm grateful that I'm in the position I am."
Fullback Renee Holmes said they had been focusing on England since hearing they would be playing there before the WXV tournament.
"We've been prepping for this moment. They've come to New Zealand the last two times and played as at home so, it's incredible to come over here and play them at home."
Bunting said starting King at first five-eighths was down to her ability as a game driver.
"She organises our ladies around the field and to have her and Ruahei playing together, gives us a little more of an edge."
They have been working on their kicking game, including some players learning to kick.
"There has been little kicking in the women's game back in New Zealand for a while. We like to run a lot, so there's been massive growth across the team.
"Now it's about how we manage that, manage our games using our kick, but we will want to play our game. Being able to play both is important."