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Ruby Tui expected to miss Olympics after signing for Chiefs Manawa
Black Ferns star Ruby Tui has all but closed the door on next year’s Olympics in Paris after signing with the Chiefs Manawa for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
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Tui, who has won a gold and silver medal at the Olympics, began her illustrious rugby career in sevens by debuting for the Black Ferns Sevens in 2015.
Following an illustrious stint in the shorter format of the sport, Tui switched her focus onto 15s ahead of the Black Ferns’ quest for a Rugby World Cup crown on home soil last year.
Tui quickly rise to superstar status in New Zealand after showcasing incredible talent on the field and humility off it. Along with the likes of Sarah Hirini, Kendra Cocksedge and Stacey Waaka, Tui was a pioneer for the women’s game during a triumphant World Cup campaign.
The New Zealand wing was later rewarded for an incredible season in the black jersey with World Rugby recognising Tui as the Breakout Player of the Year after the 2021 World Cup.
After starring once again during WXV1 last month, Tui has committed herself to 15s moving forward which all but rules the two-time Olympic medallist out of a return to sport’s greatest stage in 2024.
“I played sevens for 10 years and I had two goals – I wanted an Olympic gold medal and I wanted women to be professional in this country if they chose to play rugby,” Tui said.
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“Sevens are doing great. They’re hissing, they’re flourishing, Paris will be amazing, but if I ever get FOMO (fear of missing out) I just whip out the gold medal. It’s quite heavy.
“I’m really happy with the strides we made in sevens, but as far as I’m concerned the Black Ferns have just gone pro so there are a lot of steps in 15s.
“Fifteens is our national sport here in New Zealand keep in mind, and I know (Black Ferns coach) Allan Bunting, we had lots of conversations (around) what do we do now, what do we do next, and 15s – the Black Ferns, Super Rugby Aupiki in New Zealand – everywhere around the world, that’s where the growth is now, that’s where the support and resources need to be thrown into, and that’s why I’m here.”
Tui continued to show fans that rugby is about more than just the results on the field after sharing another incredible moment with a young supporter during WXV1.
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After losing scissors, paper, rock with the young supporter, Tui handed over her boots to the Black Ferns fan with a smile on her face. Tui might just be the most popular rugby player in New Zealand.
“Not just on the field but off it. She lives her values every day, through the highs and the lows of high-performance sport, she doesn’t waver,” Chiefs Manawa coach Crystal Kaua said in a statement.
“I see the Ruby Tui that stays behind two hours after games when everyone else is in the shed and she is signing autographs, not wanting to leave any little girl or boy behind. She genuinely wants to give back to the game, change the game, and is driving a better world for women in sports and rugby.”
“I believe Ruby is the best winger in the world, she is world-class in her approach to everything; skill, culture, tactics, and learning,” continued Kaua. “Not to mention she gives people permission to be themselves just by being herself for our team.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to comments