'My GPS blew up': Black Ferns Sevens star's viral Olympics interview
Black Ferns Sevens star Ruby Tui is the latest viral sensation to come out of the Tokyo Olympics.
Fresh off her side’s 36-0 victory over the Russian Olympic Committee in the quarter-final of the women’s rugby sevens tournament on Friday, Tui provided a spirited and energetic interview with the BBC’s Jill Douglas.
Tui was so captivating that a video of the interview, posted by Currie on Twitter, has been viewed 1.6m times and has garnered more than 16,000 likes.
“BBC – better be clear!” Tui began with a cheeky grin before addressing the camera in Samoan and then giving her thoughts in English.
“Russia, they are very cool people, man. We get on with them, very lovely people, but on the field, they are bloody tough.
“They’re a tough, tough team and, to be honest, they weren’t at the last Olympics, so this is huge for them. Massive congratulations to Russia, thank you so much.
“I don’t want to say the score made it look easy, but it was not easy. Don’t be fooled! That was not an easy game, lots of running. My GPS just blew up, that’s how hard it was! Lots of respect for Russia.”
Tui, a veteran of the Black Ferns Sevens side and a silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was then asked for her thoughts on the Great Britain side.
The 29-year-old has rarely played the British side given the Black Ferns Sevens normally compete against England, Wales and Scotland as separate entities on the World Sevens Series circuit.
Tui made note of that, in typically enthusiastic and comedic fashion.
“I love how GB come together,” she said. “They’re all split up but then for the Olympics [come together] … it’s funny because in the scrum, they’ll probably hate me saying this, sorry Abbie [Brown], but when they go down, they go, ‘England!’
“Like they’re real proud to be England, but they can’t do it here, so Abbie’s gotta go, ‘GB!’ when she goes down.
Thanks @JoCurrie having a blast here in Tokyo ?? https://t.co/JTK5vhiC5q
— Rubes Tui (@rubytui) July 30, 2021
“Everybody comes together. Scotland have got a couple of really good players in there. Wales, obviously, [Jasmin] Joyce is bloody gas. Gassed a couple of us, even.
“I love the whole concept of GB, and like I said, huge congratulations to Great Britain and all the people of that place, because they fundraised, they worked hard, they campaigned.
“I think even a couple of us donated and they ended up at the Olympics, so huge, huge mahi … big job, sorry, mahi means job.”
Douglas then went to end the interview due to the impending rain, which had wreaked havoc during day two of the women’s tournament, to which Tui replied: “What rain? Bring on the thunder! We’re at the Olympics, just be happy. Let’s compete safely and peacefully. Peace and love. Love you guys.”
The response on Twitter has been emphatically positive, as a number of onlookers have praised Tui’s positivity and authenticity.
Tui and the Black Ferns Sevens will continue their bid for an Olympic gold medal on Saturday when they meet Great Britain in the tournaments semi-finals on Saturday.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments